Nonotuck DEI Committee Co-Chairs Honored

The co-chairs of Nonotuck’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee were recently honored by the Association of Developmental Disability Providers (ADDP). Placement Specialist Nichole Bourke and Wellness Coordinator Jannelle Robinson received the prestigious ADDP DE&I award at their Annual Membership Meeting in September. The DE&I award recognizes provider organizations promoting continued diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within their agency.

Nichole says she was extremely excited to be honored and feels that the committee’s work is important “because people need to feel understood, and people need understanding. To me, that is the only way change will occur.” She continues: ”It feels good to be able to be a voice for people who are not vocal or afraid to share how they feel about being different and wanting to be accepted.”

Jannelle says she was also honored to be recognized, adding: “{Nonotuck’s} collaborative and celebratory approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion is unique. We try to make sure every voice is heard. Even when we are discussing difficult topics, we find ways to celebrate our diverse community.”

“I believe that we cannot achieve wellbeing in our own lives or as a community without diversity, equity and inclusion,” she says.

“{Jannelle and Nichole}’s leadership continues to pave a more inclusive path, striving for inclusivity while dismantling bias surrounding race, ethnicity, gender age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation,” says Nonotuck CEO/President George H. Fleischner. “What they’ve done to advance the efforts of DE&I within Nonotuck has been, well, award-winning.”