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Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in Hastings

Beginning in November of 2016, a group of community leaders and citizens, including representatives from the City and the school district, have been engaged in dialog to understand the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion in Hastings. Periodic discussions presented ever growing and changing statistics, a broadening understanding of diversity, and conversations with a variety of residents to understand personal experiences, concerns, needs, and aspirations for the Hastings community.

Community leaders are now working to expand the conversation and facilitate community-wide learning opportunities in order to embrace cultural differences and commonalities throughout the city. A partnership with the YMCA Equity Innovation Center has been approved for funding and will begin work in September 2018.

Visit the registrations page to sign up to receive updates on new learning opportunities, events, and general updates from the Initiative.

Upcoming Events:

Community Equity Labs

Equity Innovation Labs

All Are Welcome!

The YMCA Equity Innovation Center will lead us in a series of community engagement sessions in which community members will walk through hands-on learning and reflecting exercises to develop a common understanding of identified challenges. Each session will be followed by hands-on learning assignments that will take place throughout the five-month period.

Location

All sessions will be held at the Dakota Pines Banquet Facility, 2015 Westview Drive, Hastings, MN 55033

Session Dates and Times

Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - 6-9 p.m.
Tuesday, November 27, 2018 - 6-9 p.m.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019 - 6-9 p.m.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019 - 6-9 p.m.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - 6-9 p.m.

Accommodations (Food and Childcare)

Doors open at 5 p.m.

A buffet dinner option will be available through Rudy's Red Eye Catering. The menu for Tuesday, October 23 will include a Slider Bar (2 per guest) with chips and coleslaw for just $10 (cash-only please).

The bar will be open for service prior to the event. Soda and water will be offered free of charge. Other beverages will be available for purchase.

Childcare will be offered onsite for kids ages 6 months through 10 years by the YMCA KidStuff program. This option is free of charge for event attendees.

The Longer Table Event Planning Mtg

Join a group of Hastings residents who are working to plan a Longer Table event in Hastings. The event will take place on Sunday, June 23, 2019. This concept is inspired by the quote, "If you are more fortunate than others, it is better to build a longer table than a taller fence." All residents, old and new, will be invited to a community picnic. Join us to plan this wonderful, new event for Hastings.

Meeting Schedule:

Nov. 8
Dec. 6
Jan. 3
Feb. 7
Mar. 7
Apr. 4
May 2
June 6

Meeting Times and Location:

All meetings are from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Hastings Area YMCA in the Conference Room
Please bring a form of ID for entrance to the building.

Latest Updates

Our work with the YMCA Equity Innovation Center and Impact Lives, Inc. kicked off on Saturday, September 29th, with the Leadership Think Tank. A group of nearly 40 people in various leadership roles in Hastings spent the day learning how to look at the world through an inclusive lens, the changing demographics in our city and state, how to lead systemic change, and identifying areas of opportunity in Hastings. Currently, staff at Impact Lives, Inc. are gathering all the data from this event to create a plan of action that will help us design a more inclusive Hastings. This plan will be presented at the upcoming Equity Innovation Labs detailed above. Everyone in the Hastings community is encouraged to participate in the Equity Labs.

Think Tank PowerPoint Presentation

Think Tank Recap - worksheet

Think Tank Interactions Transcribed

Community and Initiative Information

City and School Board Joint Proclamation April 29, 2018

Hastings City Council Approves Funding for Partnership with YMCA and ISD 200, July 9, 2018

2017 Hastings Community Survey (National Citizen Survey Livability Report)

Community Feedback

Below is the raw, unedited data collected at table conversations on April 29th:

Raw data, Community Feedback, Question1: What would a welcoming community look like?

Raw data, Community Feedback, Question 2: What will you do to make Hastings a welcoming community?

Below is the same information, coded and organized into themes:

Coded Community Feedback, Question 1: What would a welcoming community look like?

Coded Community Feedback, Question 2: What will you do to make Hastings a welcoming community?

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