June 1, 2020

There are times in the course of history when silence is more deafening than words. Stanislaus Community Foundation recognizes also that this not just a time for words, but for actions.

We do not condone the violence, looting or any form of destructive action that is occurring across our country or that has happened in our community recently. We stand with the peaceful protesters who are marching to call attention to the suffering of many generations and recent injustices that have occurred. We stand with the police officers who do their jobs to serve and protect us all. We stand with justice and we stand for the deep understanding that comes from recognizing our shared humanity. We stand with healing the divide, which is long, hard work. We do not believe this is an ‘either-or’ issue.

We are committed to educational, economic, and racial justice. We make this commitment to our beloved community at all levels of our work in the following ways:

• Education & Economic Mobility: we will take up matters of racial disparity with partners in our Cradle to Career Partnership as well as with residents and leaders in our new economic mobility work.

• Civic Engagement & Leadership Development: We commit to support leadership development and civic engagement efforts for our diverse and emergent community leaders.

• Seeding & Supporting Equitable Dialogues: Lastly, in our abiding commitment to be a bridge, Stanislaus Community Foundation will provide funding to bring together members from our black community, law enforcement and our faith leaders among others. We will utilize our funding to engage in facilitated constructive dialogue that leads to long-term action.