Reflecting on the murder of George Floyd and resulting protests, the Executive Director of Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County, Lisa Brabo, shares this message to the community:
We stand together with those fighting for a just and equitable world. We empathize with the emotions and frustrations of our African American community members and acknowledge the pain, anger, and frustration that they and other marginalized populations feel.
The murder of George Floyd and the resulting events unfolding across the nation this past week force us to confront the painful truths of racial injustice and inequity experienced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. This is not a political issue, it is a humanitarian issue. Floyd’s murder, as well as the recent deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, are just a few of the daily markers of racism that permeate our society, suffocating life, potential, and societal progress.
We at Family Service Agency, also known as Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center, and Guadalupe Little House By The Park, pledge to take action. We will
- continue to help mitigate the effects of racism and resulting inequity and trauma through culturally sensitive and trauma-informed services;
- commit to working more at the community and policy levels to create just and equitable institutions and systems;
- commit to greater internal reflection, accountability, and continuous learning by incorporating a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council by October 2020.
We stand with our Black and Brown neighbors in dismantling racism for a livable and more hopeful world.
