L’Arche USA Engagement Specialist, Kyla Ponciano, offered her thoughts on this month’s value:

Without diversity the world would be pretty boring, like a colorless canvas waiting to be filled with a masterpiece. Diversity teaches us how others perceive the world and the beauty around. The ability to accept, acknowledge, and respect that people come from different backgrounds—and all are unique in a special and exquisite way—is amazing.

By the very nature of L’Arche’s mission—fostering authentic connections between people with and with out intellectual disabilities—and with locations spanning across the globe, L’Arche welcomes a vast diversity of members. Here are some of the ways we’ve learned to practice honoring this diversity:

• Celebrate differences, don’t fear them.
• Appreciate that every person is unique.
• Recognize that people hold multiple identities.
• Be aware of your own privilege and bias.
• Listen to different perspectives.
• Treat others with respect.

Building diverse communities offers incredible insight into what it means to be human, helping build a more inclusive and sustainable world.

How do you foster unity in diversity?