Vitalia Rockside Elaborates on Their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

As a company, Arrow Senior Living has made learning about and celebrating our unique differences a part of our company culture. So much so that, in recent years, it has become an extension of our core values. And now, going on our second year, Arrow has expanded beyond yearly diversity, equity, and inclusion workshops to create Arrow’s D&I Speaker Series, which pairs special guest speakers with residents from our communities to have conversations on a wide range of topics such as mental health, PRIDE, Juneteenth, and so much more. We believe that sparking conversations on what some may believe to be sensitive topics helps to shed light on misconceptions and ultimately brings about understanding as it relates to the experiences of others. This ensures our employees and residents have the tools to build a safe place to live and work, one where a diverse group can come together and feel equally seen, heard, and included. 

At Vitalia Rockside, DEI goes beyond training and mentoring. It is a way of life. One of my favorite conversations thus far this past year was A Mental Health Awareness Conversation on Grief with Sandy McGatha & Janet Rose.

I enjoyed conversation due to my own personal experience. I became a caregiver to my father, four short years ago, when he was diagnosed with stage-four bone cancer at the age of 71. I couldn’t agree more with Sandy and Janet when they discussed the first year of loss being the most difficult. Grief is such an overwhelming emotion and is processed very differently by every person. I’ve learned there are different types of grief- anticipatory grief, traditional grief, and complicated grief. I’ve also learned there is no “correct way” to grieve and everyone’s journey is different. I found therapy and support through a local bereavement support center, Cornerstone of Hope, located in Independence, OH. Being among those who were also grieving a loved one, felt extremely comforting to me. Sandy McGatha states, “Don’t avoid it, share it with someone,” which is something I encourage those struggling with loss to explore.  

Embracing diversity ensures that people from different backgrounds, races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and abilities are treated with equal respect and opportunities. Inclusive environments foster a sense of belonging and promote social cohesion, reducing discrimination and prejudice. Emphasizing diversity and inclusion aligns with the principles of social responsibility, as companies actively contribute to creating a fair and equitable society. This is just one of the reasons why DEI is so important to our company and society.

These conversations have only just begun, and I look forward to the conversations to come and all the new growth and opportunity that lies ahead as we work toward creating the greatest and safest place to work that we can!