The program supports cultural diversity by building partnerships and connections with various ethnic and cultural communities, giving an opportunity for civic engagement for all members of society (especially those who have not traditionally participated in local government), ensuring equitable offerings of programs and services, and above all, bringing various members of the community together through fun, celebration, and festivals promoting an understanding and appreciation of cultural differences.
The model of community liaisons is very effective and a great way to connect with different diverse community groups. However, one of the challenges the city faces is that the community liaisons keep changing, whether they change their role in their respective community groups or for other personal/professional reasons. As a result, building and nurturing these relationships is not a one-time task but needs to be ongoing. Another challenge is to recognize that each community group has their own needs and priorities. If the goal is to serve the needs of all members of our community, it cannot be a “one size fits all.” At the same time, the city can be limited in terms of available resources. Lastly, it is very advantageous to work in coordination with the local school district, hospital district, community college, chamber and other organizations.
The goals of all these organizations are similar, the target groups are the same, and resources are limited. By working together we learned that it is possible to leverage resources rather than duplicate efforts, and be more credible with the various community groups.
The diversity program has taught us that it is important to create a sustainable program. An inclusive city cannot be created by carrying out one-time initiatives. Renton aims to create a system with policies and resources in place for long term success. City officials are in frequent contact with members of the community as well as the community liaisons in an effort to continue to carry out Renton’s emphasis on inclusion and diversity. The training of our employees also must be ongoing in order to make a difference.
Renton’s employees have discovered the benefits of the workshops and training given by the city and they have learned a significant amount about the diversity of Renton. Without the ongoing effort from Renton’s city officials to ensure the program’s long term success, the city will not see any significant results.
Commitment from city officials is crucial when implementing a program like this. Renton’s mayor launched this program with full support from councilmembers and top officials. The city revised its strategic business plan to include inclusiveness and diversity as part of the mission statement. The diversity program requires the support of city officials to continue to execute ongoing inclusion efforts and ensure the long term success and impact of the program.
Building and maintaining partnerships with the community and key organizations is the key to success. The success of the program is not only dependent on the support of city officials and staff, but of the community as well. The city has worked alongside the many cultural groups in the community in order to embrace our differences and celebrate the rich diversity of Renton. The community quickly took notice of the support and emphasis from Renton’s officials and they showed the same support and enthusiasm for the program. The reason behind the astounding support of this program is that the city made it clear that this program is not simply a requirement or quota carried out as just another business strategy. The goal is to create a close knit community built on the foundation of partnerships and relationships with the community and local government. This project has proven to be one that requires the support of everyone involved; this movement cannot be carried out without frequent communication between city officials and the community.
The diversity program has given city employees a refreshing perspective and has given everyone involved an opportunity to learn about other cultures. Though this program is an ongoing project, we have come very far by bringing our community closer together step by step. The outcomes of this program have been very positive, but if there is one lesson that we have learned, it is that there is always more to be done in the process of community outreach and engagement.