In September of this year allegations of racist behavior were raised to the Board of the YWCA Bethlehem by an employee of the Organization. The board takes these allegations very seriously. We are committed to being an anti-racist organization, a place where all of our colleagues feel valued and heard. We will not tolerate racism or hate-based bias in any form.
To ensure that all parties are fairly heard and in support of learning and healing, the Board has retained the services of a prominent local attorney who specializes in employment matters and is a certified civil rights investigator to act as a third-party investigator. She is undertaking interviews of all the relevant parties involved and once her investigation has completed and her findings shared with the Board, we will take prompt and appropriate action based on the investigator’s recommendations. We appreciate the thoroughness with which she has undertaken this investigation and while we are not able to comment further as it unfolds, if we are able to offer updates on timing or status we will do so.
In the meanwhile, the Board is recommitting to its work and the YWCA’s mission by improving our governance practices and engaging in antibias training among other things. We do this even as we continue to deliver the services on which our community depends, such as the Adult Day Services Center, Women and Teens Scholarship Program, TechGYRLS, and many others.