Our Commitment to Social Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We define diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice as ongoing processes to which we are committed, rather than ultimately achievable goals. At 3rd Decade, DEI and social justice entail respect, care, and equity, with a consciousness of the impact of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, family responsibility or family status, marital status, religious or political conviction, pregnancy, age, and disability. By recognizing the dignity of each individual, we seek to build a healthy community based on these principles and our values.

At 3rd Decade, We Value…

Building relationships based on trust and integrity

Diversity in the workplace and in the individuals we serve

Treating everyone with fairness and respect

3rd Decade Participants from Quarter 4, 2021.

We understand that social justice recognizes the intricate involvement of attitudes in the construction of institutional practices and seeks ownership and responsibility for these attitudes. As an organization 3rd Decade is committed to engaging in self-examination, gauging assumptions, and judgments in order to foster attitudes of respect that invite members of our community into relationships instead of alienation.

Our Mission

3rd Decade was created with the goal of improving financial futures for our participants and communities across the United States. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to 3rd Decade’s mission to change financial futures forever starting now.

Economics & Social Justice

We are dedicated to advancing fairness, opportunity, and justice for historically marginalized people around the country, knowing that this is dependent on fair livelihoods that allow individuals, families, and communities to thrive.

Our Social Mission

We strive to operate in a way that actively recognizes the central role we play in society by innovating new ways to promote local and national quality of life and make the world a better place for all.

Human Rights & Dignity

We are dedicated to upholding all people’s rights to liberty, security, self-esteem, freedom of expression, and protest, as well as the ability to meet their own needs and contribute to society.

3rd Decade Partcipants from Quarter 4, 2021

We also recognize that – crucially – social justice extends beyond attitudes and into actions that promote the creation of a space for the human spirit to thrive and the establishment and continuation of just relationships. Our commitment to social justice challenges us to work with others to design and continually seek to strengthen our organization as a place for personal and social development.

3rd Decade recognizes there is an extreme lack of diversity in the financial industry. Individuals are more likely to respond in positive ways when presented with information, guidance, and instruction by individuals who are like themself. Whether this is race, gender, socioeconomic status, age, lifestyle, or something else, 3rd Decade recognizes that, in order to serve diverse young adults, we need to have a diverse network of staff, volunteers, and supporters.

We are committed to having the demographics of the program participants we serve to represent the demographics of the United States. 3rd Decade is continuously working to ensure our program, messaging, volunteers, and more are inclusive to the individuals we seek to serve.

Our actions for structural change in society also necessarily include advocacy for the elimination of violence and oppression, the alleviation of poverty, the promotion of environmental justice and sustainability, and the diminution of inequality. We define our actions to promote social justice not as works of charity but of justice, as we work to become allies for fairness.

As a nonprofit, 3rd Decade strives to cultivate a socially just environment through active engagement in course curriculum, service learning, and partnerships with outside organizations.