South Suburban Humane Society: REDI Implementation Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
Going through the REDI training as a team has been an extraordinary experience for our staff. It has given us a vocabulary and a shared context for our Diversity Equity Belonging and Inclusion (DEBI) committee. We have built upon the foundations of the training for further cultural sensitivity customer service training and it has strengthened our hiring process. From our low-cost veterinary services clinic to adoptions, it has enhanced our mission-driven work across the organization. In particular, the training led us to formulate "Pit Stops," the first of which is happening the first week of April.
The predominant goal of this Pit Stop pilot initiative is to increase SSHS’s community presence, particularly within communities predominantly of color, and remind the south suburban community as a whole that we are here as a resource for humane engagement, adoption, pet food/supplies, volunteering, low-cost veterinary care, etc. SSHS will set up tables at community hubs within the south suburbs to provide resources such as pet food and pet resources.
This not only falls in line with the community initiatives within the 2024 goals of SSHS, but also is in keeping with the goals of the DEBI committee to enhance humane engagement and create additional lanes for BIPOC members of our community to navigate. The folks who are impacted by these events should leave with a better understanding of SSHS and the role we can play in supporting them and their pets.
This also allows the Resource Team to learn more about the pet needs of the communities we serve and better approach our initiatives from the perspective of amplifying solutions and leaders already within the community.
How many pets did this grant help?
27,000
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Dolly was found along the side of the road by a DJ from KISS 103.5 FM. He talked extensively on his morning show about the dog and about the South Suburban Humane Society. He was super impressed by our service to the community and our staff’s compassionate care.
The show has a heavy listenership on the south side, where SSHS primarily serves, and this has brought in even more BIPOC adopters and visitors. We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome more folks into our organization and utilize our REDI training to ensure we continue to be a welcoming place for all.
And Dolly was adopted!
