Willis Dady's Equity & Inclusion Committee
The Equity & Inclusion Committee is dedicated to advocating for equitable and inclusive policy and services of Willis Dady Homeless Services. This committee is lead by representative staff members from each department and a board member of our agency. The committee meets monthly to discuss and implement strategies to increase equity and inclusion, unless there is an active grievance case.
What is a "Grievance"?
Willis Dady Homeless Services has a formal complaint (grievance) policy that any clients, staff, or board members, volunteers, and community members can report situations of inequity/non-inclusive service delivery. The complaint file is available in a printed format at Willis Dady's Emergency Shelter (1247 4th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403) or can be accessed via pdf download ->
What happens after I file a complaint?
How to File a Grievance
To file an Equity & Inclusion Grievance in person, please ask the front desk staff at Willis Dady's Emergency Shelter for a grievance form. When done, hand it back into the front desk staff.
To file an Equity & Inclusion Grievance online, please email the following information to equity@willisdady.org:
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Your name
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Your contact information (Phone number or email address)
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A brief summary of the situation
After receiving a complaint, the Equity & Inclusion Committee meets to review the information and decide what our next steps are. Typically, the person filing the complaint is contacted within 1-2 business days to discuss additional information. Then interviews with other relevant parties (witnesses, staff supervisors, and staff involved) are conducted to gain all relevant information. Sometimes the complainant and interviewees are asked to send evidence (leases, text messages, etc.) to better inform the committee's decisions. Here is the basic timeline for our committee's actions:
Who should I contact if I have questions?
Members of the Equity and Inclusion Committee can be contacted with any questions about filing grievances or the committee's process. Please see below for a list of committee members. Willis Dady Staff (indicated by their title below) can be contacted M-F 8AM-4PM by their email or through Willis Dady's main phone at 319-362-7555.
Martha Carter
Committee Chair, Shelter Case Manager
Dan DeVore
Willis Dady Board Member
Allison Hein
Grants & Communications Coordinator
Sierra Pope
Volunteer & Operations Coordinator
Marin Noska
Employment Case Manager
Shannon Fay
Veteran Housing Case Manager
Faith Walker
Shelter Manager
Wes Shirley
Willis Dady Volunteer