The Chronicles of DirectEmployers Employee Resource Groups: A Q3 Update

Over the past quarter, our ERGs have thrived and carved out spaces for meaningful engagement, support, and education across a spectrum of topics and interests. From championing mental health initiatives to fostering an inclusive environment for veterans and embracing diverse cultural and physical experiences, our ERGs are at the heart of our community. Follow along to explore the impactful activities and inspirational stories from our dedicated groups, showcasing how they continue to enrich our workplace and empower our employees. Whether you’re familiar with our efforts or new to the conversation, there’s something here for everyone to connect with and learn from. Let’s see how these groups are making a real difference at DirectEmployers!

Mental Health & Invisible Illnesses

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we organized several engaging and educational initiatives to broaden our understanding and support our community’s mental wellness. One event was a Jeopardy-style game tailored specifically to mental health topics. This fun and interactive session educated our group on essential facts and issues surrounding mental health, and facilitated lively discussions that allowed participants to share personal insights and experiences. This activity highlighted our group’s diversity of knowledge and perspectives, reinforcing our community agreement to an inclusive and supportive environment.

Understanding the importance of personal well-being, we dedicated an afternoon to personal mental health activities on Mental Health Action Day. Group members were encouraged to engage in activities that promote their own mental health, whether that was through meditation, reading, exercise, cooking, or any other personal wellness practice. This initiative aimed to remind our group of the importance of self-care and provide them with the time and space to prioritize their mental health, which can often be neglected in our busy lives!

Our ongoing steps challenge has been a focal point of this quarter, with the collective goal of reaching 9 million steps. As we all know, life loves to throw in some snafus and we’ve hit a funny bump on our road to 9 million steps—our tracking app took a little detour, not tracking all of our progress! We’re lacing up with a new tracking platform and diving back in with 4 million steps left to go. This challenge promotes physical health, which is intrinsically linked to mental well-being, and fosters a sense of community and shared purpose. Upon reaching our goal, we will make charitable donations to organizations chosen by each group member.

By engaging in educational activities, promoting self-care, and checking in with one another, we aim to destigmatize mental health issues and provide a space where all employees feel seen, heard, and supported. We remain committed to deepening our impact and reaching even more community members as we continue to grow and evolve.

VetConnect

This quarter’s standout event was a presentation by Jeannie Regan-Dinius, Director of Preservation for the Crown Hill Foundation. Jeannie provided an engaging exploration of Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, a site of great historical significance to the veteran community. She detailed the cemetery’s origins and role in commemorating veterans from the Civil War to the present day, highlighting the graves of notable figures such as presidents, vice presidents, famous actors, and others who have served. This session educated our group about local history and deepened our respect for those who have served, illustrating the importance of remembering and preserving veterans’ legacies.

Vet Connect ERG Members Michael Witt, Ralph DiBenedetto & Jeff Gehm pose for a photo with Jeannie Regan-Dinius at Crown Hill Cemetery.

Another primary focus this quarter has been the review and potential implementation of training modules from PsychArmor, a resource dedicated to increasing understanding of military life and culture. These modules have been reviewed by both veteran and non-veteran staff members, receiving positive feedback for their comprehensive content and accessibility. The training covers various aspects of military service, providing valuable insights that enhance workplace sensitivity and inclusivity towards veterans. We are nearing the completion of this review process and anticipate a wider rollout of these training modules to all DirectEmployers staff, which will bolster our internal knowledge and demonstrate our commitment to supporting and integrating veteran employees effectively.

This quarter, we organized volunteer events such as flag retrieval at Crown Hill Cemetery and a headstone cleaning event, which gave our group opportunities to give back in meaningful ways that honor and support our veteran community. These activities allow us to actively engage with our heritage and contribute to preserving and respecting veteran memorials.
VetConnect remains a vital part of our ERG ecosystem, significantly contributing to our organizational culture by curating an environment of respect, understanding, and active support for veterans and their families. We are excited to continue this momentum and further enhance our initiatives in the days ahead.

Women’s Inclusion Network (WIN)

The Women’s Inclusion Network (WIN) at DirectEmployers has maintained a dynamic presence this quarter, engaging in meaningful discussions and sharing crucial resources through our dedicated Slack channel. Our efforts continue to focus on addressing pivotal issues and promoting the holistic well-being of women in the workplace.

One of the quarter’s highlights was our Women’s Veterans Recognition Day celebration, which featured profound contributions from veteran guest speakers Awilda Carozza and Ginger Miller. Awilda Carozza, a passionate Employment Veteran Advocate and Employer Relations Coordinator at Student Veterans of America, shared insights from her extensive experience connecting veterans with employment opportunities. Ginger Miller, a former homeless service-disabled Navy veteran and now a celebrated advocate for women veterans, shared her transformative journey and her impactful work through her organization, Women Veterans Interactive. These stories not only shed light on the unique challenges women veterans face but also highlight the resilience and leadership they bring to the veteran community and the broader workforce, as well as lessons learned that can benefit all women (veteran and non-veteran alike) in the workforce.

WIN introduced a new logo to encapsulate our identity and mission this quarter visually. This logo represents our commitment to unity, support, and empowerment of women within our organization, symbolizing our collective effort to foster an inclusive and supportive work environment for all women. In July, WIN recognized two significant observances: National CROWN Act Day and International Women with Alopecia Month. Both issues disproportionately affect BIPOC women in the workplace, prompting us to explore these topics deeply during our June 2024 ERG meeting. National CROWN Act Day commemorates the inaugural signing of the CROWN Act legislation in California on July 3, 2019, to create a respectful and open world for natural hair.

This legislation is crucial in combating hair discrimination and promoting acceptance of natural hair, which often negatively impacts perceptions and results in mistreating natural-hair wearers in the workplace. International Women with Alopecia Month provided a platform to discuss challenges and societal pressures related to hair loss among women, particularly within marginalized communities. We invited Dr. Toshiba Mitchell, diagnosed with Alopecia Areata as an adult, and Ms. Diana Smith, an HR professional who has navigated the complexities of her natural hair in professional settings, to share their personal experiences. Their stories highlighted the emotional and professional impacts of alopecia and natural hair types, offering invaluable perspectives to our members.

The session ended with actionable steps that allies can take to combat this issue. Mark Booker of GoodGames co-facilitated this session, which was structured to foster an interactive and supportive environment. Mark’s expertise in creating engaging methods to prompt conversation was instrumental in facilitating a discussion that was both educational and empathetic, allowing group members to ask questions and share their experiences in a safe, respectful, and anonymous setting.

Through these activities and discussions, WIN continues to advocate for and support the diverse needs of women in our organization. By tackling such complex and sensitive issues, we reinforce our commitment to creating a workplace that respects and celebrates the unique backgrounds and challenges all women face. As we move forward, WIN remains dedicated to driving change and continuing an inclusive culture where every woman feels valued and empowered!

ConnectAbility

A highlight of our recent activities was a guest lecture by Tiffany Meehan from Inclusively, who shared her inspiring personal and professional journey living with Spina bifida. Tiffany’s discussion covered a range of important topics, including the significance of universal design in creating accessible environments, the role of adaptive athletics in empowering individuals with disabilities, and the contributions of her service dog-in-training, Luis. She also provided valuable insights into disability etiquette, particularly around wheelchair use, enriching our understanding and sensitivity towards diverse needs within our workplace.

Another highlight guest speaker was Lex Huth, Director of Communications, with The Cadmus Group and the Partnership on Employment and Assistive Technology (PEAT)! Lex shared some of her personal journey in becoming a disabled professional and finding identity within the disability community, masking and disclosure, navigating changes in vision loss, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and major depressive disorder, the importance of intention in offering assistance and allyship, psychological safety at work and leadership leading by example, reasonable and public accommodations, plus a little disability etiquette for the blind/low vision community, and so much more!

Faith in Action

A central theme for this quarter was “Praying for one another,” focusing on the power of collective prayer and the support it provides within our community. This theme emphasized the strength of shared faith and how it can uplift and sustain individuals through challenges.

ConnectAbility & Faith in Action Joint Sessions

Jeremy Warriner speaks to DirectEmployers staff during an ERG meeting.

This quarter also featured a noteworthy joint session between ConnectAbility and Faith in Action. We were honored to host Paul Erway, a celebrated keynote speaker, world marathoner, and equestrian. Paul’s presentation, “The Truth About Abilities of Disabilities,” delved into how faith is vital in navigating life with disabilities. His personal stories of overcoming adversity and his philosophy of resilience were particularly motivating. Paul’s life motto, “The more people you can help, the more you will be blessed,” resonated deeply with group members, reinforcing the values of support and community service.
In another collaborative meeting, Jeremy Warriner from Walking Spirit shared his remarkable experiences and insights, further enriching our understanding of physical and spiritual resilience. This session also included a catered lunch for in-person attendees, fostering a closer community bond and providing an opportunity for informal discussions and personal connections.

Through these joint and separate sessions, ConnectAbility and Faith in Action continue to create an inclusive and supportive environment at DirectEmployers. By addressing issues from multiple perspectives—whether through educational talks about disability, discussions on spiritual resilience, or shared community activities—these ERGs enhance our collective understanding and appreciation for our colleagues’ diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Moving forward, both groups are committed to building on this momentum, planning more integrated sessions that bridge physical and spiritual topics, and continuing to provide meaningful support to all members.

From celebrating heritage and awareness months to integrating personal well-being with professional development, DirectEmployers’ ERGs are shaping a workplace where everyone can thrive. Through educational sessions, community engagement, and shared experiences, we are not just meeting goals but creating a space where we aim for every employee to feel valued and heard!

We look forward to sustaining this momentum and seeing what new accomplishments and connections the next quarter will bring. Our ERGs are more than just groups; they are becoming the heartbeats of our corporate culture, continually driving us toward a more inclusive and connected community!