ABOUT
What you need to know about us
Diverse & Resilient is a nonprofit organization whose mission is the healthy development of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Wisconsin by creating and sustaining groups and communities to take action. The organization’s name is intended to serve as reminder that LGBT people are everywhere, engage in interesting and meaningful lives, and contribute to the welfare of each other and the broader community.
We will know our agency work is complete when we reach our vision: lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Wisconsin thrive, living healthy, satisfying lives in safe, supportive communities.
Since its inception in 1995, Diverse & Resilient has held statewide conferences, youth institutes, regional trainings, regional consultations, leadership meetings, and countless one-on-one and group consultations. Diverse & Resilient serves as a catalyst to help LGBT groups get started and continue to thrive by providing program funds, consultations, adult and youth leadership training, and leadership coaching. Further, Diverse & Resilient provides resources for program evaluation, policy development, and program alignment with a broad health and development agenda.
Each year, Diverse & Resilient has been awarded funds from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, AIDS/HIV Program to increase the number and quality of programs that address the HIV prevention needs of LGBT youth and adults. The program has also been awarded grants from the Wisconsin AIDS Fund, the Wisconsin Education Association Council, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Medical College of Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and private donors.
In 2002, Diverse & Resilient, Inc. became a separate 501c(3) organization in order to offer an even more visible resources to communities and organizations seeking to aid in the healthy development of LGBT people. At that time, Diverse & Resilient expanded its mission beyond youth to address these developmental needs of LGBT people across the life span. Between 1995 and 2002, the organization enjoyed the support of and was housed in Aurora Health Care, the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine Department of Family Medicine, and the Center for Urban Population Health.
Diverse & Resilient, Inc. is governed by a ten member Board of Directors whose expertise are in the field of human development, social justice, secondary and post-secondary education, finance, law, philanthropy, medicine, psychology, and public health. Further, an eight member Youth Advisory Board consisting of culturally diverse young people from ages 14 to 24 determine much of the program content for youth conferences and consultations; they also decide on service and leadership awards to youth groups and monitor grantee outcomes.
Values
This Agency believes that the way we accomplish our mission is as important as the mission itself. Diverse & Resilient relies on these basic values:
Relationships
The work of Diverse & Resilient rests on a foundation of respectful relationships.
The Individual
Respect for the value and dignity of the individual is inherent in everything this Agency does. We encourage fairness, teamwork, and mutual respect. We are firmly committed to maintaining a work and service atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds can grow professionally and personally.
The Organization
We recognize that our charitable status requires us to be models of openness, representativeness, tolerance, fairness, honesty, and professionalism and to reflect the diversity of the community.
Adaptability
We seek to adapt to change, adjust strategy in response to new information, and seek innovative or creative solutions to new or changing situations.
Teamwork
We work to willingly and cooperatively work with others whether internal or external to the organization, leading by example, and assisting others. The appreciation of differences in personality, cultures, and experience is critical to this value.
Planning
We seek to accurately research our work to understand and communicate our goals, create and follow action plans. We strive to remain organized in order to increase efficiency and accuracy of the important work we do.
Quality
We complete assignments that are accurate, thorough, and reflective of a conscientious approach.
Problem Solving
We strive to obtain and evaluate alternatives, collect relevant information, and know best practices.
Productivity
We work hard and intelligently to meet needs in a timely and responsive manner.
Communication
We seek to comprehend others and expresses ourselves appropriately and clearly. We use active listening skills to improve relationships and service to internal / external customers.
Service
We seek to discover and respond to the needs of internal and / or external partners in a timely, courteous, and respectful manner; we are committed to maintaining privacy according to the Agency’s standards.
