NEWS FROM SAFE & WELL OXFORD

DEI Action Coalition seeking new members to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in Oxford's communities

Do you have knowledge, perspective or personal experiences related to diversity, equity and inclusion? If so, the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Action Coalition wants you to help make Oxford County a more inclusive community.

The committee is seeking five to six new members with personal interest and experiences with diversity, equity and inclusion issues; who can identify the historical, attitudinal, structural, and institutional barriers that inhibit DEI; and who are committed to building a welcoming and inclusive Oxford for all.

New members will join the recently formed DEI Action Coalition that includes sitting representatives from community partners and agencies that are working towards the goals of the Safe & Well Oxford Plan.

As a community representative on the DEI Action Coalition, members will:

• offer advice, knowledge, and perspective on DEI issues;
• support the Coalition's planning work to address DEI challenges and risks, including the development of a DEI Strategy for Oxford County; and,
• work with other Action Coalitions that have been established as part of the Safe & Well Oxford Plan. 

Coalition meetings are expected to be held monthly through a mix of in person and videoconferencing formats.

Interested applicants can fill out the online application at www.oxfordcounty.ca/dei-action or download the printable PDF and submit their application in person or by mail to Oxford County Clerk, Oxford County, 21 Reeve Street, PO Box 1614, Woodstock, Ontario, N4S 7Y3. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

The Safe & Well Oxford Plan is Oxford County's community safety and well-being plan. Legislated by the Government of Ontario and developed by Oxford's area municipalities (Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Ingersoll, Norwich, South-West Oxford, Tillsonburg, Woodstock and Zorra), Oxford County, police services, health care organizations and providers, school boards, businesses, social service providers and agencies, the plan works to a vision of, "Communities where individuals and families feel safe, supported and included and where they can access what they need, when they need it to live fully." Learn more

The work of the DEI Action Coalition supports the Safe & Well Oxford Plan by raising awareness of and addressing challenges to diversity, equity and inclusion for all protected grounds under the Human Rights Code: citizenship, race, place of origin, ethnic origin, colour, ancestry, disability, age, creed, sex/pregnancy, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, receipt of public assistance (in housing) and record of offences (in employment).

For more information visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/dei-action.

Comment

Marcus Ryan, Warden, Oxford County | Safe & Well Oxford Steering Committee

"The DEI Action Coalition will operate from a position of ensuring 'no one is left behind' when it comes to embracing the many different people who make up our community. The voice of our residents, especially those who may feel marginalized or disconnected, must be at the table if we are to create a culture that is truly welcoming and embracing of all."

About Safe & Well Oxford

From September 2020 to June 2021, Oxford County's municipal governments, police and emergency services, social services, health care providers, school boards and community service providers engaged in an initiative mandated by the Province of Ontario, to develop a Community Safety & Well-being Plan. The goal of the plan development was to help address priority risks, such as mental and physical health, housing and addictions, with proactive, integrated strategies for children, youth, adults, older adults and families who live, work and participate in our communities. To learn more visit safewelloxford.ca.