Inclusion

We envision a future where every young person and family has access to the support, opportunities, and resources they need to thrive. We are committed to turning those values into action through the way we serve youth and families, design programs, and work with our community partners.

What this looks like in practice

Our commitments and actions include:

• Welcoming and supporting all prospective parents and families.
• Supporting all paths to family and permanency, including reunification.
• Establishing and following policies that reduce bias and promote fairness in hiring, procurement, technology, communications, and AI use.
• Designing websites and software applications that are accessible and usable for people with diverse cognitive, vision, hearing, and mobility needs.
• Removing barriers to access through plain-language, high-contrast design, captioned videos, keyboard navigation, and screen-reader compatibility.
• Partnering with people who have lived experience, compensating them for their contributions and ensuring their perspectives help shape our priorities and decisions.
• Reviewing our programs and technologies to identify barriers and improve access for the people and communities we serve.

Human Rights Campaign recognition

For more than a decade, Alongside has earned the “You Are Welcome Here” seal, awarded by the National SOGIE Center and the Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest civil rights organizations working to achieve LGBTQ+ equality.

In 2025, we reached a new milestone by earning the “Innovative Inclusion” tier of recognition. This award recognizes our leadership in inclusion and our dedication to serving LGBTQ+ youth and families. It reflects our commitment to creating safe, supportive, and affirming environments for everyone we serve.