Annual Report 2026 - Digital - Flipbook - Page 18
The Annual Report 2025-2026 | THE POWER OF BELONGING
“Jewish values guide us in building a
welcoming and inclusive community, not
A CULTURE
just for our members and guests, but for
sta昀昀 as well,” shared Kaitlyn Essman,
OF BELONGING our
Chief Talent O昀케cer. “We are committed to
fostering a culture where everyone feels
respected, valued, and empowered to be
their authentic selves.”
The initiative touches every stage of
the employee experience. In recent
years, the JCC implemented an equitybased wage structure in early childhood,
expanded supervisor training to support
more equitable leadership practices,
introduced paid parental leave, launched
an Ambassador program pairing new
hires with seasoned sta昀昀 partners, and
created a 昀氀oating holiday policy that gives
employees greater autonomy in honoring
the days and traditions most meaningful
to them.
At the JCC, belonging is more than an idea
– it is something we strive to create every
day for our members, guests, and the
people who make our mission possible:
our family of sta昀昀.
Small but intentional changes have also
helped reinforce a sense of belonging
in everyday interactions. Sta昀昀 now have
the option to include pronouns on email
signatures, business cards, and nametags
as one way to ensure people feel seen
and respected.
Over the past several years, the JCC has
been engaged in an ongoing e昀昀ort to
strengthen our workplace culture through
the lens of our Jewish values. What began
as justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion
work evolved into something deeper
and more personal: a commitment to
ensuring every member of our family of
sta昀昀 feels welcomed, respected, valued,
and empowered to bring their authentic
selves to work.
Importantly, this work is not being
directed from the top down. The Culture
of Belonging Committee is a sta昀昀-led
initiative open to employees across the
agency. Team members from di昀昀erent
departments and backgrounds are
helping shape policies, review agency
forms for inclusive language, and create
opportunities for sta昀昀 connection and
education.
That evolution led to the launch of our
Culture of Belonging initiative.
As the JCC continues to grow and evolve,
so does its commitment to cultivating
a workplace where everyone feels they
belong. Because when people feel valued
and connected, they are empowered to
do their best work – and together, create
a stronger, more welcoming community
for all.
Guided by values like B’tzelem Elohim
(all are created in the divine image) and
Kavod (respect), this work recognizes that
policies alone do not create inclusion.
True inclusion happens when people feel
safe, supported, and connected to the
community around them.
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