DrawBridge’s expressive arts programming is built on a firm foundation of cultural awareness and sensitivity that reflects and celebrates the creative power of the children and diverse communities we serve. Recognizing that homelessness and housing insecurity disproportionately impacts communities of color, DrawBridge programs provide a welcoming and nurturing space for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic status, geography, citizenship status, or religion.

DrawBridge is dedicated to equity and inclusion internally through the recruitment of board, staff, and volunteers that reflect the diverse audiences we serve, and externally through programs that are deeply rooted in collaboration with the community. We commit to these ideas in the following ways:

• DrawBridge is committed to providing free and accessible programs for children and families. Our facilitators and volunteers work directly in the communities we serve, removing financial and transportation barriers for participants.
• We are dedicated to working side by side with our community partners to evaluate and implement programs that are relevant and reflective of community needs.
• We seek to employ artists, facilitators, and volunteers with deep connections to these communities, and offer opportunities for authentic dialogue, mentorship, and promotion of local artists.
• We practice a strengths-based, collaborative approach in how we interact with community members and program participants. DrawBridge youth are treated as artistic collaborators and co-creators of knowledge.
• We commit to policies, programs, and activities that will focus our efforts on representation of these communities at every organizational level.
• We recognize the complex social, emotional, and economic issues impacting the children and families we serve and commit to providing ongoing professional development training for all board, staff, and volunteers in areas of equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• We are dedicated to data-driven evaluation to measure the impact of these goals and determine areas for improvement both in policy and program.

This document was developed with the assistance of ArtChangeUS, the Marin Cultural Equity Network, and in collaboration with DrawBridge board, staff, and community partners.