Anti-Racism Statement

In our work, VOA sees first-hand the impact that systemic racism and bias has on our community and country through a disproportionate number of black and brown individuals experiencing homelessness, evictions and housing instability. We are devoted to standing in opposition to white supremacy, violence, and the historical brutalization of marginalized peoples.

VOA’s mission explicitly states that we uplift all people in order to help others rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. In order to make this happen, we commit to dismantling racism and fighting for racial justice. We stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and with others who are working for change through peaceful protest and advocacy.

As VOA supporters, please join us in this work to actively become anti-racist. Help us stand together in solidarity and join us in our fight to uplift the historically marginalized and disenfranchised.

VOA highly recommends the following resources to read and act on as we move forward to support and commit to this movement in our community.

• Rachel Cargle is a public academic, writer, and lecturer (​www.rachelcargle.com​). View her Public Address on Revolution: Revolution Now
• Brené Brown’s podcast ​Unlocking Us​ ​examines concepts related to empathy and vulnerability in episodes like ​Brene on Comparative Suffering ​and ​Brené with Ibram X. Kendi on How to Be an Antiracist
• Watch Dr. Martin Luther King’s daughter, ​Rev. Bernice King on ending systemic racism
• Subscribe to Black Lens and support Black owned and operated businesses:http://blacklensnews.com/
• 7 Ways You Can Demand Justice for George Floyd​ ​from the Peace & Justice
• Action League of Spokane

VOA recognizes that this is only the first step in our commitment to this work and as we listen, we will continue to respond in ways that represent the value we feel for our Black community.