A Statement from our President & CEO

Valley of the Sun United Way remains in solidarity with community members and other organizations calling for systematic change to address racial disparities in our community and across our nation.

We continue to witness inequities and violence, most recently in Atlanta, Boulder, Knoxville and Minneapolis, and are saddened by the lives lost. Our hearts go out to those who lost a loved one, a friend or a valued community member in these tragedies and as United Way, we are committed to make a difference to help prevent the issues and crises unfolding before our eyes.

As we work toward Mighty Change with MC2026, our new five-year plan that shines a spotlight on key needs in Maricopa County, our community input and engagement has confirmed that issues which existed before the pandemic are even more intense now, and systemic racial, social, economic and educational inequities exist throughout every issue in our plan – be it Health, Housing, Education or Workforce Development - so equity must be part of every solution.

United, we must eliminate the inequities and injustices that endanger the dignity, futures and sadly, the lives of people in our own community. Everyone deserves to live in a society where they feel safe, respected and protected. We can, and must, do better to guarantee the human rights, freedom and the ability to succeed of every person.

Over this past year, United Way started by looking inwardly at our own diversity, equity, and inclusion practices with our Board of Directors and staff, and assessed issues of equity and access in partnership with community leaders as a part of our community input process that led to our MC2026 plan. Addressing issues of equity and access is now woven throughout Valley of the Sun United Way’s MC2026 impact plan, and we are partnering with others in support of a more equitable community.

Now, as we move our work forward, we’ll deepen our dialogue with community leaders, nonprofit partners and our community and we will, as Valley of the Sun United Way, work toward a more equitable society with our voice, our community support, and all of our efforts. The way forward includes all of us, united. We look forward to engaging all who we work with to LIVE UNITED and to create MIGHTY CHANGE.

Carla Vargas Jasa
President & CEO, Valley of the Sun United Way

Together, our Board of Directors and staff developed the following Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion (DEAI) Vision to guide our organization and our work on behalf of our community.

Our vision:

Inequities are deeply ingrained and systemically upheld. Our work is generational, and no lasting change happens overnight. We will dig deep, confront issues with honesty and take the difficult steps every day to accomplish these goals. Over time and with sustained effort, as the principles of DEAI integrate into all elements of how Valley of the Sun United Way functions, we will shift our organizational culture, ensuring both internal and external work filters through a DEAI lens. We will stand in solidarity with community members and partner with other organizations calling for systemic change to address racial disparities in our community and across our nation. We will lead by example, sharing best practices, learnings, as well as remaining open to listening and learning from others.

Investing long term in DEAI is our duty to the diverse communities we serve. Proving our sustained commitment to equity and inclusion we will build trust with those communities, and reshape the public narratives surrounding our organizational impacts.

We will model the importance of starting with self to create the change we want to see for our sector and society. As a 95-year-old organization and demonstrated community leader, we plan to showcase that progress and change are absolutely possible, no matter the size, age, or history of any entity.