Policies
Non-discrimination
policy.
Our commitment
Every family deserves to be met with dignity. Support is not something a person earns by having the right story, making the right choice, or fitting one definition of what family should look like. That commitment is a stated value of this organization, and this policy is how we hold ourselves to it.
Scope
Nia Imani Family, Inc. does not discriminate in the provision of services, admission to programs, employment, volunteer opportunities, board service, or contracting on the basis of:
- Race, color, or national origin
- Ancestry, ethnicity, or immigration status
- Religion, creed, or absence of religious belief
- Sex, pregnancy status, or parental status
- Sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression
- Age
- Disability
- Marital or family structure, including co-parenting, kinship care, and chosen family
- Veteran or military status
- Source of income, arrest or conviction record, or credit history, except where required by law or funder requirement
- Any other characteristic protected by federal, Wisconsin, or City of Milwaukee law
Program eligibility
The Residential Door has eligibility criteria based on program design, licensing, and funding requirements — age, pregnancy or postpartum status, and the ages of children who may live in the residence. These criteria apply to every applicant equally and are published openly on our Residential Door page.
The Community Door has no eligibility requirements. It is open to mothers, children, fathers, co-parents, caregivers, kinship caregivers, extended family, and other safe support systems.
Accessibility and accommodation
We provide reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities in our programs, employment, and volunteer roles. We provide language access support where needed. To request an accommodation or interpretation, contact us and we will arrange it without cost to you.
Reporting a concern
If you believe you have experienced discrimination in connection with Nia Imani, we want to know. You may report a concern in any of these ways:
- By phone: (414) 930-5460
- By email: info@niamke.org
- In writing to the Executive Director, or to the Board President if the concern involves the Executive Director
You may report anonymously. Reports are documented, acknowledged within five business days, and investigated. We will tell you the outcome to the extent that privacy law and the rights of others allow.
No retaliation
Raising a concern will not affect the support you receive. Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern in good faith, or who participates in an investigation, is prohibited and is itself grounds for discipline up to termination or removal.
External complaints
You may also file a complaint directly with an outside agency, whether or not you report to us first:
- Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Equal Rights Division
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- City of Milwaukee Equal Rights Commission
Review
This policy is reviewed annually by the Board of Directors. Questions about it may be directed to info@niamke.org.
Before publishing
This policy should be reviewed by counsel and formally adopted by the board. Confirm the protected-class list against current Wisconsin and City of Milwaukee ordinances and against every funder requirement that applies, then insert the effective date and remove this note.