FLAP Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is already in the DNA of FLAP’s work and is updated at the first Board of Directors meeting of every year. FLAP’s constituency is comprised 100% of low-wage immigrant workers and their families. The organization exists because of the injustices done in the workplace to low-wage immigrant workers due to race and country of origin. Everything FLAP does promotes racial justice, diversity, inclusion, and equity.
FLAP is an equal opportunity employer and would be even if it were not required by law. All qualified job applicants receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, and/or political affiliation. The same is true with FLAP’s clients. The organization does its best to accommodate those with physical and/or intellectual disabilities who attend its workshops and programs, and makes certain that appropriate information and resources are provided in their native language. For those who cannot read, FLAP explains what the information is about. Individuals with a workplace discrimination case related to their sexual orientation are linked to pro bono representation with relevant legal expertise.
To promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace, all FLAP staff members include their personal pronouns in their email signature and virtual meetings. A culture of inclusion makes for more expansive and varied ideas and perspectives. As an organization led by and comprised of women of color, FLAP is committed to leading by example in the fight for the rights of all. Ensuring racial justice is why FLAP’s mission and service offerings now include legal aid, community education, distribution of emergency financial assistance, laptops and other virtual learning supplies for low-income immigrant children. Helping immigrant parents to secure dual citizenship for their children arose out of families fearing separation in the event of deportation.
It is FLAP’s duty to ensure that anyone seeking information, resources, aid and justice is able to receive it regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, and/or sexual orientation. FLAP is a firm believer in centering the communities and people directly impacted by structural racism in its services. The organization’s Board and Staff leadership is representative of the communities FLAP is seeking to help. At FLAP, gender equity has always been a priority and now more than ever before, the Board of Directors, along with FLAP’s staff, believe that gender equity is not attainable without racial equity.
Diversity in Board Members:
FLAP has a total of 13 Board Members with an age range between 20 and 80 years old.
69% of Board Members identify as BILPOC.
62% of Board Members identify as male.
31% of Board Members identify as a BILPOC woman, transgender, or gender nonbinary person.
38% of Board Members identify as a BILPOC male.
23% of Board members identify as white male.
15% of Board Members are attorneys who identify as a BILPOC.
8% of Board Members are attorneys who identify as a BILPOC male.
8% of Board Members are attorneys who identify as a BILPOC female.
8% of Board Members are attorneys who identify as white male.
Diversity in Leadership:
The Leadership’s age range is between 20 to 60 years old.
100% of FLAP Staff Leadership identify as BILPOC woman, transgender, or gender nonbinary person.
Diversity in FLAP Staff:
The Staff’s age range is between 20 to 60 years old.
100% of Staff identify as BILPOC woman, transgender, or gender nonbinary person.
0% of Staff identify as BILPOC men, transgender, or gender nonbinary person.
Open Positions
Employment Attorney
FLAP is seeking to hire a full-time Employment Attorney (“EA”) responsible for providing legal assistance, community legal education and advocacy to eligible low-wage workers, with a focus on employment cases. The EA will work closely with the FLAP legal department and outreach team, Employment lead counsels, co-counsels and other legal aid organizations. >> Job Description
Bilingual Development Assistant
FLAP is seeking to hire a full-time Bilingual Development Assistant (BDA). In this role, the BDA will play a pivotal part in achieving the organization’s mission and goals by working closely with the organization’s chief executive officer, the development and communication’s team and other staff to develop, implement, and evaluate a sustainable organization’s development plan. The starting annual salary is $60,000 and depends on relevant experience. >> Job Description
Board of Directors
FLAP is seeking candidates for its Board of Directors to help set policy and recommend guidelines for the Bilingual Chief Executive Officer to execute the organization’s mission and goals. >> Job Description
Referrals
If you are an experienced attorney who handles any type of cases, and would like to be on our referral list, please submit a cover letter via e-mail to Bilingual Chief Executive Officer, Alexandra Sossa, at info@flapillinois.org. Thank you for your interest in FLAP and the low-wage community FLAP seeks to serve!
Interns / Externs / Fellows
FLAP is always seeking Student Interns/Externs/Fellows to support FLAP’s mission. This is an unpaid position and students are highly encouraged to seek funding.
Position Requirements: Applicants should be responsible and sensitive to the problems faced by very low-wage workers – especially wage-theft and hazardous working conditions. Students will be supervised and trained by FLAP Staff, Board of Directors, Lead Counsels, and Co-Counsels. Preference will be given to those who speak Spanish. Low-wage immigrant cultural sensitivity is also beneficial for this position.
How to Apply Please submit a cover letter and resume via e-mail to Alexandra Sossa, FLAP Chief Executive Officer: info@flapillinois.org. In the subject please write: Extern/Intern/Fellow.
Thank you for your interest in FLAP and in helping the very low-wage workers and their households in the cannery, farming, greenhouse, landscaping, meat, nursery, packinghouse, poultry, restaurants, and snow plowing industries in Illinois!
Volunteering
FLAP is always seeking volunteers to help with different tasks. If you are interested, please tell us your experience and how you would like to help. Volunteers can work remotely or at FLAP’s offices.
How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume via e-mail to Alexandra Sossa, FLAP Bilingual Chief Executive Officer: info@flapillinois.org
Thank you for your interest in FLAP and helping the low-wage workers community!
Contact Us
FLAP is grateful for the past and present support of Foundations, individual, institutional, and corporate donors, and the contributions of the board of directors, staff, attorneys, interns, externs, fellows, and volunteers who make our work possible!
If you have any questions, would like to know more about our services, or would like to volunteer, you can contact us via email at info@flapillinois.org.