Equity Initiatives at the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas is committed to educating and empowering the community we serve by creating Equity Centers. These centers will provide: 

• Workforce Training Development
• Entrepreneurship Support and Resources
• Financial Education
• Access to Digital Training
• Health and Mental Wellness Programs

We will continue our Catalyst initiatives of food distributions, baby depots, blood drives, and health fairs while building cultural awareness through events, collaboration, and partnerships.

Equality:
An approach in which all members of a society are afforded opportunities, access, and treatment in the same manner. 

Equity:
The guarantee of fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all, where individuals are not at a disadvantage from achieving their potential because of their background or social position.

Equality vs Equity: 

1. The size of the individuals in the illustration represents the impact that systemic inequality/inequity has on an individual’s ability to achieve its potential.
2. The fruit in the trees represents the opportunities that are more likely to be attained once institutional, organizational, and societal barriers are removed.
3. The boxes represent organizational, institutional, or societal support systems and/or infrastructure.

Under equality, the boxes for each individual are equal – or the same size, which prevents some of the individuals from reaching the fruit.

Under equity, the different-sized boxes represent the removal of organizational, institutional, or societal barriers, and therefore, all individuals can reach the fruit.

Interested in collaboration, partnership, or learning more about the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas Equity Initiatives? Contact: 

LATECIA PATTON
Vice President of Equity Initiatives
lpatton@ymcadallas.org