We strive to make inclusivity a pillar of the Juma culture. Providing safe, inclusive, and affirming work environments for both Juma youth and our staff is a core component of our approach. Recently, our adult staff from across all four Juma sites came together virtually to discuss the important role that language plays as a part of that inclusive culture. While language is ever-evolving by nature, we’re striving to make the language we use a mindful part of how we connect with each other and with Juma youth.
Our work began with a conversation. We invited our staff to consider some of the words we use or often see used to define Juma youth’s circumstances or the contexts in which they live. Discussions like this one are an important piece of Juma culture; not only do they give us opportunities to learn new ideas, but they also offer Juma staff spaces to voice their varied perspectives and experiences so that we can grow in mutual understanding. Like Juma youth, our staff come from many different backgrounds and bring a wealth of knowledge and lived experience to our conversations. A significant proportion of our staff can even give us perspective as former Juma youth.
We began that conversation with the goal of creating a glossary of terms that could be updated to reflect organic changes in language over time. But through that reflection process, we realized we needed something more dynamic and flexible.Today, we’re developing an Inclusive Language Guide: a tool to provide thoughtful guidance rather than prescriptive, rigid answers and definitions.
The shift from glossary to guide emerged as we realized that terminology is even more fluid than we had initially hypothesized. It can change depending on who is speaking, who is being spoken to, and the context of the conversation. Our learnings from this reflection also reaffirmed the importance of person-centered language, which focuses on the individual and their experiences, emphasizing that we are all unique people who may experience oppression and/or illness and that those experiences do not define us.
While the guide is still in its prototype phase, it is being designed to encourage the use of language that honors the dignity and potential of the young adults we serve, recognizing their strengths and addressing the systemic challenges they may face. It is also a representation of the commitment of Juma staff to learning, growth, and continued flexibility when it comes to how we use language to address the needs of the youth we serve. As the guide states:
Language is a powerful tool that shapes how we perceive others. By carefully choosing our words, we can shift the narrative from one that may perpetuate stereotypes to one that fosters empowerment, inclusivity, and respect.
