Jonita Wooten-Michel
“I believe in treating people with dignity and respect, as we all are human. In addition, we should make things equitable for everyone at Volunteers of America-Greater New York. As a DEI committee member, I will actively share my opinions, listen to others, and value their differences. “Selfless service alone gives the needed strength and courage to awaken the sleeping humanity in one’s heart.”-Sai Baba, has shaped my thinking on being a better person and helper in today’s ever-changing society. I believe that as a part of this committee, other Social Workers and I at VOA-GNY would no longer feel alone or feel as if they have no voice, as I would have the committee’s support and encouragement to diversify, include, and to assist others at VOA-GNY to feel the belonging we will have as a committee as a whole and for our agency. I believe I can bring the committee a fresh perspective as a newly hired worker (less than a year at VOA-GNY) [from] working with the DEI Committee at Self-help Community Services, Inc., where I was a committed participant from June 2020 to December 2022. We created sub-committees and groups where individuals felt as if they belonged, were no longer alone and felt heard in large agencies. I am very passionate about DEI work and believe I can commit to working to ensure and establish that everyone has a voice at VOA-GNY.”
Joined VOA-GNY in 2022