Diversity and Inclusion Program Mystic Aquarium Diversity and Inclusion Program

STRATEGIC FOCUS CATEGORIES Attendance (Guest Experience) and related marketing Contracts, vendors, and purchasing Educational Programming Community Relations Human Resources – Staff and Volunteers

ATTENDANCE/MARKETING Strategically increased advertising targeted at “diverse” audiences. Offer annual “Diverse” Special Events e.g., Fiesta del Oceano Carnaval Del Sol SNAP program welcomed over 8,000 “free” admissions since inception in December 2017. Incorporated bi-lingual signage/graphics/ads. Continue to be more inclusive and diverse in ads for the aquarium.

PURCHASING Established a “Diverse” vendor database Contacted over 500 current vendors to ascertain “diverse” pool of vendors. Identifying ALL new “diverse” vendors. MBE, WBE, DBE’s Tracking all purchases from “diverse” vendors. “Reverse” vendor fair in 2018.

2017 Mission Programs Initiatives Educating Students from Under-Resourced Communities STEM Mentoring- 28 states and Puerto Rico reaching 400 mentors and 1,600 mentees. Implemented locally at the Mystic YMCA. Over 7,000 local students provided free conservation education focused programming. Hosted two weeks of free summer camp in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of New London. Job Training 8 year partnership with the Stonington High School Inclusive Community Program for students with disabilities. #1 employer in the area of hiring students from the program. Ongoing partnership with New London Youth Affairs providing jobs for New London students. Special Events for families with children on the autism spectrum or with intellectual disabilities. Serving 1,500-2,000 people annually. Support community focused organizations and events around the region.

Human Resources Implemented the “Rooney Rule” in hiring. Broadening our recruitment efforts. Offering more Diversity/“Unconscious Bias” (etc.) training. Participating in more job fairs, encouraging staff to become mentors to diverse audience as part of professional development. Developing support systems for LGBT employees and volunteers. Continually identify current and future staff who are multilingual. Diverse “new hires” increased 33% in 2017 vs. prior year

Human Resources   Volunteer Coordinator visits various high schools and colleges in the area, including those of diverse socio-economic enrollment, such as Mitchell College and New London High School, and, works with the New London Youth organization and Project Genesis to recruit volunteers. Staff supports regional LGBT support organizations.

Program Example: Youth Employment Mystic Aquarium participates in the state’s Summer Youth Program (SYP). Area youth explore careers and gain work experience in the Summer Youth Program. Low income youth, aged 14 to 21 are offered career counseling and educational support while learning leadership skills and on-the-job problem solving. Our youth come from the New London area and are ethnically diverse.

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