1. Engage Diversity and Difference In Practice By: Criptal Graham
Competency #4
Engage Diversity and Difference In Practice
By: Criptal Graham

2. Friend to Friend Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Women’s Shelter
At the shelter we regularly engage difference and diversity with the women.
Our shelter does not discriminate!
we accept all people of different races, financial status, ethnic origins, religions etc.

3. Practice Behaviors
Gen 4.1-Recognize the extent to which a culture’s structures and values may oppress, marginalize, alienate, or create or enhance privilege and power
With Women of different cultures and religions living in one house together
There is a number of conflicting issues that arise that may oppress one family or alienate another family
There are a number of issues that could arise that may appear that one family has enhanced privilege and power
i.e. a woman with children vs. a woman with no children
The one with children would be given more resources to fit her families needs
Given the mindset of the women this could cause alienation, manipulation and marginalization

4. Case Study
One woman has 3 children with her in the shelter and she has her own persona food stamps. Her children not only has access to the food in the shelter but they have additional food, snacks that the mom purchased with her own money or food stamps.
There is another woman in the shelter with no food stamps and she has 2 children. She and her kids are utilizing the shelters resources only.

5. But we are a friend! Case Study Cont.
* If the mother with plenty does not share with the other kids this could cause tension and alienation
This could also cause oppression on the family who is not as fortunate as the others.
But we are a friend!
We try to keep things there for the children to snack on
It is more healthy snacks vs. junk food the mom may purchase
In most situations, if it does not get abused, the moms usually share what they have

6. Practice Behaviors Cont.
Gen 4.2 Gain sufficient self-awareness to eliminate the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse groups.
This has to be done by staff and volunteers on a daily basis. We must set aside our personal thoughts about Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in order to deal with the client’s on a non-judgmental bases.
It is easy to say what you would do in a domestic violence situation however every situation is different. Women have many reasons why they choose to stay in an abusive situation and they have many reasons why they choose to go back.
We must constantly engage in self-awareness and keep personal biases out of the work! In order to help someone and not hurt them!

7. Cont.
Gen 4.3 Recognize and communicate their understanding of the importance of difference in shaping life experiences.
It is important at the shelter that the women understand boundaries in a diverse environment.
Also the importance of knowing that difference is ok
We highly encourage and reinforce respect for one another and diverse beliefs, belongings and space.

8. Cont.
Gen 4.4 View themselves as learners and engage those with whom they work as informants.
At Friend to Friend we are always learning! We keep a teachable attitude
Each client is a new individual
Every case is unique

9. The end
Thank you