YMCA OF GREATER RICHMOND LEARN MORE
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING

We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.  We are dedicated to our core values and being a place for all to thrive.

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Join the Y
Swift Creek Family YMCA steam program with counselor and child

OUR COMMITMENT

We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.  We are dedicated to our core values and being a place for all to thrive. 

Together, we celebrate strong inclusive communities. FOR ALL.

OUR GOAL

To create an environment in which members, staff and other stakeholders experience an organization rich with multicultural inclusivity, the promotion of equity across all walks of life and a genuine sense of belonging FOR ALL, with intentional focus on underrepresented and historically marginalized communities.

children at bright beginnings ymca
The Symposium

The 2025 Symposium theme was Rising Together: Stories of Economic Mobility and Thriving Communities. We highlighted the RVA Rising regional initiative for upward economic mobility, guided by the Urban Institute’s framework.

September 25th

8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Altria Theater | 6 North
Laurel, Richmond, VA 23220

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Advance Community Through Participation

To create an environment in which members, staff and other stakeholders experience an organization rich with multicultural inclusivity, the promotion of equity across all walks of life and a genuine sense of belonging FOR ALL, with intentional focus on underrepresented and historically marginalized communities.

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children on the playground

EMPLOYEE
RESOURCE GROUPS

At the Y, strengthening community is our cause and ensuring access, inclusion and engagement is fundamental for all.  We are committed to recognizing and embracing all dimensions of diversity to better serve our neighbors.  Employee Resources Groups, or ERGs, are all about community.  ERGs help build community within the Y and connect the Y to the communities that we aim to serve.  ERG work is strengthened by our foundational cornerstones:

ERGs serve as a space for people to learn and better understand one another to create inclusive spaces and strengthen communities. The Y sees the ERGs as bridge builders between individuals, groups and communities. The YMCA of Greater Richmond currently supports 6 Employee Resource Groups:

  • African-American Employee Resource Group
  • Disability Community Employee Resource Group
  • Empowered Leaders Employee Resource Group
  • Hispanic/Latino Leaders Employee Resource Group
  • LGBTQ Employee Resource Group
  • Women’s Leadership Network Employee Resource Group

Each ERG is led by a steering committee made up of full-time Y staff and supported by an Executive Sponsor from our Association Leadership Team. ERGs host programs, activities and discussions created to help all YMCA staff connect, learn and grow.

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) play a vital role in supporting the organization’s strategic efforts to build knowledge and foster meaningful engagement with diverse communities. By leveraging the lived experiences and insights of their members, ERGs help the organization respond effectively to demographic shifts, evolving community needs, and opportunities to strengthen social impact.

ERGs serve as trusted advisors in advancing the Y’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). They contribute to shaping inclusive policies, enhancing brand representation and refining operational practices. Through collaboration and advocacy, ERGs help ensure that the organization remains culturally responsive, community-centered and aligned with its mission to serve all.

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) play a vital role in fostering inclusive leadership and equitable representation across an organization. They work proactively to ensure that leadership teams reflect the diverse communities they serve, building trust and authenticity through shared experiences and cultural awareness. ERGs also provide strategic guidance to help embed diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) principles at every level of leadership—from frontline managers to executive decision-makers.

In addition to shaping leadership, ERGs actively support recruitment and retention strategies that embrace all dimensions of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status and more. By advocating for inclusive hiring practices and creating environments where all employees feel valued and supported, ERGs help organizations attract top talent and foster long-term employee engagement.

ITS TIME TO FIND YOUR Y

JOIN THE GREATER RICHMOND YMCA TODAY

Join today and gain access to all 16 of our locations throughout the greater Richmond area, with no contracts, no join fees, and access to income-based memberships.

Become a member
Become a member

HERE. Thriving Starts

HERE. Thriving Starts

HERE. Thriving Starts

HERE. Thriving Starts

HERE. Thriving Starts