Honoring Juneteenth

As we approach Juneteenth, I want to take a moment to reflect on the significance of this historic day. Juneteenth marks the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans in the United States, a monumental event that symbolizes freedom and the ongoing pursuit of equality.

June 19 is not just a day to commemorate the past; it’s a celebration of progress, and a call to action to remain vigilant in the present. It reminds us of the importance of learning from history and striving to create a more just and inclusive society.

At Greenwich House, we are committed to actively working to eliminate inequality, unfairness, and injustice in society and social systems. Moreover, we are working to ensure our own spaces and programs are a place where every individual is valued and treated equitably and respectfully. That said, I understand it is not enough to simply offer programs and services to our communities; we must also fight to change the underlying policies that create and maintain unjust systems.

Our collective work to advance JustPay for human services workers (a disproportionate number of whom are Black women) and expand affordable behavioral healthcare services are just two examples of how Greenwich House is moving beyond programs to advocate for and create systemic change. The less visible work of changing HR and pay practices and integrating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging principles, is also ongoing and is furthered by your active participation. Please be on the lookout for more opportunities to get engaged with our DEIB work.

That said, tomorrow our offices will be closed for a day of reflection and celebration. If you don’t already have plans with family and friends, I encourage you to get involved with some of the events and activities happening in the city tomorrow.

In Solidarity,

Maurice Barrett, Director of People and Culture

Greenwich House