We want all of the children and teens we work with to have the opportunity to experience joy, to find moments of wonder, and to connect with the natural world-- regardless of their diagnosis, socioeconomic status, race or ethnicity. We recognize that simply wanting this isn’t enough.

Program Director, Katie, and Program Manager, Andrew, are currently the two lead Wonder Connection staff. We are committed to striving for racial justice within Wonder Connection and the systems and structures it operates within. To that end, we (Katie and Andrew) will work to lean into our own discomfort, to invite change and disruption, to continue to talk about it all, and be good listeners. We know we must continue to educate ourselves about racism, white privilege, and our part in systemic and structural racism and white supremacy. The work doesn't stop there, but it has to start somewhere.

As part of our work, our plan is to shift decision-making power to make it inclusive and representative of the people Wonder Connection serves.

We used Marsha Davis’ Developing Equity framework to create and enact our Road towards Equity plan.

We continue to build awareness as a staff. We asked our volunteers and board members for their input and feedback in person as well as via an anonymous form (Fall/Winter 2022-3). We hired a consulting firm to work with us on a mini cultural audit (Oct-Dec 2023) and are currently researching educational opportunities related to cultural competency for our staff, board and volunteers.

Resources for talking about race and racism (with kids, teens, students, peers)