Ongoing Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

At Kinark, we have made clear our long-term commitment to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as an employer and as a service provider. In 2024–25, we built on the foundation of our multi-year DEI strategy with meaningful progress in policy, practice, and partnerships, further embedding equity and cultural responsiveness into our programs, systems, and workplace culture. 

This year marked the third year of implementing recommendations from our 2022 Equity Audit. The audit has guided our efforts to embed equity into every aspect of our work and remains an important tool for accountability and progress. One of this year’s most significant advancements was the implementation of updated recruitment and hiring practices designed to attract, assess, and retain more diverse candidates. These changes aim to reduce bias, improve transparency, and promote inclusive workforce development across the organization. 

Informed by audit findings and staff feedback, Kinark also launched the next phase of our DEI Learning Strategy. This program offers targeted training and professional development that focuses on inclusive service delivery and equips staff with the tools to serve diverse communities with cultural humility. It also emphasizes important aspects of DEI that we feel are essential to becoming an employer of choice, including enhancing clarity on the accommodation request process including where to direct requests during recruitment. It represents a sustained commitment to learning and growth, grounded in the realities of our work and the communities we support. 

A key highlight from this year is our new partnership with Hong Fook Mental Health Association, aimed at improving culturally responsive mental health services for East and Southeast Asian communities. As part of this collaboration, Kinark will host a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) summer camp in 2025, funded through a grant from the Knowledge Institute. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to accessible, community-informed programming and is an important step in delivering care that reflects the lived experiences of those we serve. 

As we reflect on our progress, we remain grounded in the understanding that DEI is not a destination but a continuous journey. Kinark is proud of the strides made this year and remains committed to listening, learning, and taking action toward a more inclusive and equitable future for our staff, clients, and communities.