Advancing Equity & Inclusion Across Our Organization

Connecting people with guidance, education, and collaborative insight for meaningful change.

Hoyleton’s Commitment To Our Staff

Hoyleton is dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and healthy work environment where every team member feels valued. Our staff-centered initiatives strengthen connection, promote well-being, and ensure every voice has a place in shaping our culture. The following programs highlight our ongoing commitment to creating a workplace where people can thrive personally and professionally.

C.H.E.E.R.S

CHEERS, which stands for Committee for Hoyleton Employee Events, Retreats, and Spirituality, creates opportunities for meaningful connection among staff and helps shape our organizational culture by hosting events where staff feel supported and appreciated.

LIVE It Approach

LIVE It is a holistic approach to well-being designed by and for Hoyleton Youth and Family Services employees. Benefits of the wellness program include a free annual biometric screening and several health challenges throughout the year. LIVE It committee members are mindful of the importance of self-care and consistently provide self-care information to promote an active and healthy lifestyle.

P.E.E.R.S Advisory Council

The P.E.E.R.S Advisory Council, which stands for Promote, Educate, Empower, Redefine and Support, was created in 2019 to ensure inclusivity is ever present at Hoyleton. This results in empowerment of our staff, clients and members of the communities in which we serve.

What is the P.E.E.R.S. Advisory Council?

A dedicated council working to cultivate belonging, deepen understanding, and support every individual through education, lived experience, and meaningful action across our agency.

Commitment

Cultivate an inclusive and accepting work environment
Educate staff on the importance of social acceptance and inclusion
Offer support when issues of inequity, exclusion, marginalization and social injustice are identified
Share knowledge and lived experiences for the benefit of the entire agency

Objectives

Provide DEI training to all staff
Introduce the agency’s commitment to DEI at each New Employee Orientation
Host a cultural event each year for the entire agency
Distribute diverse educational information to staff monthly
Participate in a local community event each year that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

Create educational opportunities
Provide materials that allow for self-exploration and awareness of social identities
Recommend resources to build capacity for a deeper understanding of other cultures and social identities
Offer ongoing support and training
Recognize staff for embracing an inclusive culture and sharing lived experiences

Agency Culture

The oppression of people in our community has led to a critical moment of reckoning locally, nationally and globally. Society’s demands for equal rights and human dignity have been loud and they have resulted in changes, but there is still much work to be done. We hear the urgent calls for equity and inclusion each day and we have a responsibility to create the change needed so all identities can pursue the wholeness of life.

"Our goal is to empower those we serve to realize the wholeness of life. We believe people thrive when they embrace their authentic selves. To continue this work we remain steadfast in our commitment to our social justice roots within the United Church of Christ."

Chris Cox, President and CEO of Hoyleton Youth & Family Services

Celebrating Our Empowerment Champion: Dr. Karla Scott

Dr. Karla Scott is a professor at St. Louis University in the Department of Communication. Dr. Scott began her journey with Hoyleton as an observer and facilitator but her role quickly evolved into one of counsel on strategies and initiatives to strengthen the connectiveness of our agency.

Dr. Scott was directly involved in the implementation of the PEERS Advisory Council. Dr. Scott was honored as the 2021 Empowerment Champion at the Hoyleton Honors banquet on May 13, 2022

Celebrating Culture: Hoyleton celebrates Juneteenth

The P.E.E.R.S. Advisory Council hosts a variety of events throughout the year to celebrate our culture including Juneteenth celebrations, Black History Month celebrations and Lunch & Learns.

Tools to Build Capacity

By choosing mindful, inclusive language, we help build a culture where authenticity is welcomed and every identity is respected; these tools support your journey toward deeper understanding and more compassionate communication.

Importance of Language

Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in the services we provide and in the environment we strive to create within our organization – an environment where everyone feels comfortable being their authentic self. The information here encourages you to be mindful of your language to ensure you’re not leaving anyone out unintentionally or misusing pronouns or other terms of identity. Thank you for taking the time to read and put these best practices into action.

Race, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Disabilities, Video, DEI Terms

Self Exploration

Evaluate and challenge yourself on your personal awareness of social identities and cultural constructs. Learn what you don't know so you can to expand your understanding of others.

Backstory bag, Identitree, Equality/Equity, Knowledge Check, Listening Quiz

Resources

As a result of the work we do with youth and families from a variety of cultures and backgrounds we have compiled recommended resources to help members of our community build capacity for understanding and acceptance of all social identities

PEERS Press Newsletters, DEI Training Modules, ADA Video, TED Talk Video, Families of LGBTQ+ Youth, Six Easy Do’s and Dont's to Affirm LGBTQ Youth, Transactional Model of Communication, Holidays Around the World

How to get started

If you're wondering how to get started or deepen your advocacy, the UCC Office of Public Policy and Advocacy offers a wealth of tools to equip you. From issue briefings and policy updates to how-to guides for contacting legislators, their advocacy resource hub is a powerful tool for CHHSM agencies looking to engage more meaningfully in this work.

Advocacy is not about partisanship, it's about people. It's about ensuring our voices are heard on behalf of the communities we love and serve. Together, we can push for policies that uplift, not dismantle; that invest in communities, not abandon them; that build a just world for all.

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