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Equity & Inclusion

PEPS is committed to advancing equity and inclusion in all aspects of our work.

We strive to create culturally responsive, accessible spaces where parents from all backgrounds feel welcomed, respected, and supported, and where diverse experiences are valued and reflected in our programs and partnerships.

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Our Equity Journey

Our equity journey is ongoing and rooted in listening, learning, and action.

We believe that all new families should have access to a healthy, supported start in life.

As long as race and ethnicity predict the future life chances of children in our state, we are committed to working with families, partner organizations, and communities to identify barriers to parent support and wellness, interrupt their negative impact, and eliminate the persistent disparities in child outcomes.

Our Equity & Inclusion Framework

As long as race and ethnicity shape children’s life outcomes, equity and social justice guide our work at PEPS. We strive for a future where all families have access to support and opportunity.

Equity work at PEPS is:

Thoughtful

Listening, learning, and taking action have been the foundations of our equity efforts since 2016.

To begin, we sought to understand why PEPS had historically served primarily white and middle- to upper-income families despite intending to welcome everyone. Consultants helped guide our staff and board through months of education about racism, including vulnerable personal conversations. We examined the history, structure, and programming of PEPS. To listen and learn, we surveyed communities we hadn't served or served well.

Our most significant shift has been that equity is not an annual retreat topic but an ever-present lens on our actions. We no longer hire a person or publish a discussion guide without asking questions such as: Are we moving our community closer to equity? How are we making PEPS a place where everyone belongs?

Embedded

Our commitment to racial equity touches every part of PEPS. In big and small ways, it is woven throughout our organizational culture, policies, and practices.

Here are just a few examples:

PEPS GROUPS

For historical reasons, neighborhood-based PEPS Groups aren't always racially diverse. While systemic factors may be outside our sphere of influence, we can still help parents have thoughtful conversations about race, gender, class, and intersectionality.

  • In our PEPS Groups, social identity development is a required discussion topic.

  • PEPS Groups are now offered virtually, within accessible community spaces, and in homes.

  • Affinity Groups create safe spaces for parents with shared identities.

  • Our flexible pricing program fee options increase class diversity.

  • For all 50 topics in our curriculum, PEPS provides hundreds of hours of training to Group Leaders each year to facilitate inclusive conversations.

  • The PEPS curriculum has been professionally reviewed for equity, anti-bias, trauma-informed language, and inclusiveness of gender, ability, and LGBTQIA+ identities.

Ongoing

We're proud of our efforts since 2016 to thoughtfully weave equity work throughout our organization. And we recognize that we will never be "done" with this work.

Advancing equity is an ongoing commitment. We will continue to listen, learn, take action, and repeat. This process doesn't lead to perfection, but it leads to progress. That's how PEPS will move ever closer to our vision: that all families have access to a healthy, supported life.

How Equity Shows Up in Our Work

Equity and Inclusion - Flexible Pricing

In How We Price Our Programs

Flexible pricing ensures PEPS Groups remain accessible to all families. Sliding scale options and financial assistance help remove cost barriers so every parent can participate and find support.

Community Partnership

In the Partners We Support

Community partnerships help PEPS reach more families and expand access to support. By working with local organizations and leaders, we create culturally relevant programs and stronger, more connected communities.

Partner With Us
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In the Policies We Champion

PEPS advocates during legislative sessions on issues impacting families, including paid family leave, affordable housing, and childcare to advance policies that better support parents and strengthen communities.
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In the Culture We Build

Our staff and culture reflect a deep commitment to collaboration, inclusion, and care. We foster a supportive environment where team members feel valued and empowered to advance our mission.

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In the Leaders We Recruit

PEPS values diversity and is committed to advancing equity. We prioritize building an inclusive Board of Directors and strongly encourage people with underrepresented identities to apply and help guide our work.

    Land Acknowledgement

    PEPS is located on the land of the Indigenous people of Seattle, the Duwamish Tribe of the Coast Salish people. We acknowledge our presence on this land and offer them gratitude and respect.

    In recognition of the ongoing legacy of colonization and displacement, we contribute to Real Rent Duwamish by providing financial support for their community and acknowledging the debt owed to them for the use of their ancestral land. To learn more and support your local tribe, visit the Native Land website.  

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