Dafna Krouk-Gordon Accepts Award at Annual Meeting
The Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP), a statewide association representing community-based human services providers, recognized TILL with a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) Award. The presentation during ADDP’s Annual Membership Meeting on September 30 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston – Westborough, was a reaffirmation of a principle Dafna Krouk-Gordon founded TILL upon 45 years ago.
The award reflects TILL’s engagement in events such as the Cultural Festival and holiday observances at residences and day programs; TILL’s participation in the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services’ Urban Youth Collaborative Program (UYCP); Education Through Travel (ETT) which provides participants with the chance to experience different cultures; and TILL Edge, a professional development program providing training and mentorship to promote leadership.
TILL believes that a diverse staff makes us stronger, and this diversity is reflected in the composition of our workforce – with staff representing more than 50 nations. Nearly 6 in 10 TILL staff are female. Just over three quarters are Black or African American with the balance representing a wide racial spectrum. Age-wise, generations X and Y are nearly evenly represented at the top with a significant number of Baby Boomers and members of Gen-Z.
“I have a firm belief that organizations thrive from differing perspectives,” Dafna says. “Religion, race, gender, ability, you name it—we have progressed as an agency by counting on a full range of backgrounds and experiences. Diversity remains critical to our future.”