J.E.D.I.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Big Brothers Big Sisters of CNM, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) is an integral part of our values and mission. We recognize, affirm, and celebrate the diverse backgrounds, lives, and experiences of all our stakeholders, including youth, families, donors, volunteers, and staff.

  • We will protect everyone’s right to be themselves and encourage all to be civically and socially active in the pursuit of a more equitable society.
  • We believe that we maximize our impact and truly thrive as an organization when perspectives are diverse, our culture is inclusive, and our practices model the equity we want to see in the world.

BIPOC

The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexio BIPOC Committee advocates justice and equity for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in Central New Mexico through education, community involvement, and youth mentoring. Our core values are representation, intentionality, and inclusion.

  • We will advocate and bring more BIPOC voices and perspectives to the forefront to support the preservation of our collective cultural heritage.
  • We will continue to promote the inclusion of BIPOC members in the conservation community with the goal of fostering leadership, equal opportunities and safe environments.
  • We will aim to create a community of peers and mentors to assist current and emerging BIPOC conservators to advance personally and professionally.

For more information, contact our committee chair, Gabrielle Keigher at [email protected] or 505.300.8089.

LGBTQ+

We are an organization dedicated to inclusiveness. We celebrate the diversity of every person who walks through our doors, whether that person is a Big, Little, parent, guardian, employee, board member, or community partner!

Mission Statement: The LGBTQ+ Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico is committed to fostering an inclusive, affirming, and safe environment for all employees, mentors, mentees, and community members. We aim to celebrate diversity, promote understanding, and ensure that individuals of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions are supported and empowered to reach their full potential. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, we strive to create a culture where everyone can thrive, be their authentic selves, and contribute meaningfully to our shared mission of igniting potential in youth.

If you are interested in partnering with us on LGBTQ+ initiatives or have additional questions, please contact our committee chairs:

"Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it’s a good place to start." – Jason Collins

Listen: When it comes to being an ally, it is important to not only hear what your Little is saying, but really listen. If your Little opens up to you about harassment or bullying, let them guide the narrative.

Respect Privacy: If your Little opens up to you, recognize the trust they are placing in you. Ask questions to learn more and to get clarity on how you can be supportive and with whom this news can be discussed. Avoid premature problem solving. Follow the youth’s lead. Please do talk with your Match Support Specialist or Program Coordinator so we can offer resources and work with the youth to determine ways to be supportive. Our job is to support along the way!

Implicit Biases: Before you respond to something your Little says about their identity or sexuality, be forward thinking in ways that you can recognize and challenge your own biases.

Click HERE to View our LGBTQ+ Impact Report

Trauma Informed Care

Our committee strives to work towards having a mindful and trauma informed approach with our matches. We try to find tools for self-care, and hard conversations that can happen between a big and a little. There are many things we talk about as a committee and making sure that the staff is also supported throughout the agency.