Our Work
The Monadnock Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Coalition (MDEIB Coalition) is commissioned by the Keene Family YMCA (KFYMCA) Board of Directors and responsible for developing partnerships with community stakeholders to implement recommendations from the City of Keene’s Racial Justice and Community Safety Committee’s 2020-21 report on racial equity to make the Monadnock region a safe community for all people.
Our Community
The MDEIB Coalition serves the Monadnock region of southwestern New Hampshire, which includes the towns of Alstead, Antrim, Bennington, Chesterfield, Dublin, Fitzwilliam, Francestown, Gilsum, Greenfield, Greenville, Harrisville, Hancock, Hinsdale, Jaffrey, Keene, Marlborough, Marlow, Nelson, New Ipswich, Peterborough, Richmond, Rindge, Roxbury, Sharon, Stoddard, Sullivan, Surry, Swanzey, Temple, Troy, Walpole, Westmoreland, and Winchester.
Our Purpose
The Monadnock Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Coalition (MDEIB) is advancing equity by bringing together a group of individuals and entities who are working together to promote and develop the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire as a welcoming and inclusive place for all — including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals who live, work, and visit our community. We partner with community members, local businesses, and institutions to promote diversity, create meaningful community engagement, and build a diverse and inclusive foundation for all races, sexual identities, genders, and people with disabilities.
The MDEIB Coalition intends to be a valuable resource for the region in the journey towards our vision of advancing equity in the Monadnock Region. The Racial Justice and Community Safety Committee Report was derived from public input sessions and identified five priority areas. These priorities provide the foundation for the MDEIB Coalition.
Public Safety Advocacy
Advocate and audit for proven practices by local law enforcement agencies, ensuring the health and safety of the agencies have the best possible outcome for all residents (especially our BIPOC residents).
Community Leadership
Ensure community leaders are actively engaging in combating racism.
Community Education & Awareness
Create safe community spaces to have candid anti-racism conversations, build awareness around racism, and celebrate diversity.
Corporate & Institutional Engagement
Incorporate diversity in workplace and institutional culture to positively impact the attraction and retention of a diverse workforce.
K-12 Education Advocacy
Advocate and audit for specific anti-racism policies in the school system to consider fair and equitable disciplinary practices, curriculum, and student anti-racism education.
Our Committees
The MDEIB Coalition has several committees working on each of the aforementioned focus areas named in the City of Keene’s
Racial Justice and Community Safety Committee’s 2020-21 report.
These include:
Steering Committee
The MDEIB Coalition shall be comprised of the YMCA CEO, and enough community members recommended by the MDEIB Coalition and appointed by the Keene Family YMCA Board of Directors to successfully represent the Monadnock region. These coalition members must also agree to work collaboratively on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging activities to influence a culture of antiracism in the region. A minimum of 25% of the MDEIB Coalition membership will be BIPOC.
Law Enforcement Committee
This committee will meet to specifically address the Ad Hoc Racial Justice and Community Safety Committee’s recommendations for public safety with a particular focus on law enforcement. The committee is a resource and support to public safety agencies and youth organizations, while also advocating for change/advancement.
Regional Engagement Committee
This committee will have one representative from the City of Keene and one from each of the 32 towns in the Monadnock Region preferably as officially appointed by that town or City.
Workplace Resources Committee
This committee will be a resource to regional businesses who are either interested in starting or expanding their own DEIB initiatives.
Education Committee
This committee will act as a resource and support to equip the education systems in the region with the necessary tools for the education of the whole person, while still respecting individual identities.
Fundraising Committee
This committee will seek the resources required to fund the work of the MDEIB Coalition.
People of Color Committee
The People of Color Committee was born of a desire to address the specific needs of the African American, Africans in America and other people of color in the Monadnock region. This committee will foster a culture of belonging among BIPOC community members, students, employees, and visitors to the area. One of the primary goals of the People of Color Committee is to establish an authentic and productive social support network for the area’s people of color. With that in mind the Committee will be comprised of members identifying as BIPOC, will meet on a regular basis (6 – 8 times per year), have quarterly and yearly goals, plan events throughout the year to celebrate diversity and cultural pride, as well develop solutions to proactively address the issues and concerns of people of color in our community.
Help Support Our Work
The Monadnock Region is a special place, but there is room for improvement if we are to become a truly welcoming and inclusive place for all. We believe the work of the MDEIB is critical to the future health and vibrancy of the region. Your donation will enable us to provide community resources and educational opportunities, host public dialog and activities, and develop the metrics needed to determine the effectiveness of our work.