DIVERSITY PROGRAM

Dove’s Diversity Program
800 E. Clay
Decatur, IL 62521
217.428.6616

Purpose

To utilize training, partnerships, and coalitions as a means of teaching the value in learning to acknowledge, appreciate, and celebrate differences.  Topics include diversity awareness, cultural sensitivity, race relations, and prejudice reduction.

Services

Diversity Training / Presentations – Dove has provided nearly 200 trainings, workshops, seminars, study circles, and presentations in Macon County and Central Illinois since 1994.  The more than 4,400 participants have come from organizations, social service agencies, schools, churches, business, industry, and the public at-large.  Dove also provides on-going Diversity Training for its staff.

Community Involvement – Dove is involved in networking with community stakeholders in an effort to forge partnerships and coalitions aimed at addressing diversity-related issues.  This is accomplished through serving on various boards and committees, collaborating on special projects, spearheading special events, and other innovative endeavors to encourage community involvement around the issue of diversity.  Dove’s efforts to generate community-wide networking and collaborating around the issue of diversity have been referred to (by a representative from the Illinois Dept. of Human Rights) as a “model for the State.”

Diversity Directory

Since its unveiling in June of 2005, 200 copies have been disseminated statewide.  The directory outlines the programs and services of 31 agencies, organizations, and businesses that are, in some way, addressing diversity and/or human rights.  It also includes a Speakers Bureau, a Calendar of Local and Area (diversity-related) Events, and a Calendar of National (diversity-related) Observances.

Richland Community College web site has a pdf version, click here to link.

Annual Diversity Luncheon

Decatur and Macon County’s is held each year in October, the first one was held in 2005.  The luncheon is a community-wide celebration of diversity during Diversity Awareness Month.  In addition to celebrating diversity, the event is designed to provide area diversity professionals with an opportunity to network, and address current diversity-related issues.

How can I become involved?

Contact the Executive Director at 217.428.6616, or at dove@doveinc.org.