Southeast Recovery Learning Community

CAIRE Initiative

(Cultural Access, Inclusivity & Racial Equity)

The SERLC has launched a series of initiatives designed to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across our centers and programs. The CAIRE Initiative (Cultural Access, Inclusivity and Racial Equity) is a research-based and ongoing quality-improvement project established in 2021 through a partnership with the Center of Excellence for Psychosocial and Systemic Research (COE) at Mass General Brigham Hospital.

The CAIRE Initiative aims to deepen community engagement, strengthen outreach and communication efforts, and enhance equitable access to services and opportunities. By prioritizing inclusion and racial equity, the initiative seeks to better meet the needs of historically marginalized and underserved communities throughout Southeastern Massachusetts.

The project is guided by six core objectives that support continuous growth, accountability, and meaningful change across our organization.

Objective 1: Enhance SERLC Marketing

This objective focuses on developing culturally responsive and accessible marketing and communication materials that effectively reach individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and language communities. Key efforts include producing flyers, brochures, and other outreach materials in multiple languages to be distributed through our outreach activities at community boards and events, to providers, and in our bridging efforts. This objective also involves enhancing website accessibility, publishing a quarterly newsletter, and expanding our social media presence to improve engagement, awareness, and access to information throughout the communities we serve.

Objective 2: Strengthen Connections Between the SERLC and Local Underrepresented Communities

We recognize the need to create stronger community connections and increased engagement with diverse communities in the southeast area who are underserved at our Recovery Connection Centers. This objective focuses on outreach efforts and strengthening connections with local BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, Veteran, Older Adult, Young Adult, women, and disability-focused organizations and communities to offer support and build trust through culturally responsive engagement, resource sharing, and partnerships that amplify community voice and honor lived experience.

Objective 3: Hire More Diverse Staff and Enhance Training Around Cultural Sensitivity and Humility

This objective focuses on building a more diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve while strengthening cultural humility and responsiveness across the SERLC. Through inclusive recruitment practices and ongoing training on topics around culturally responsive peer support, such as bias, intersectionality, equity, microaggressions and discrimination, we seek to better support the diverse experiences and needs of our local communities by creating welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environments for community members, employees, families, and community partners.

Objective 4: Provide More Social Activities

This objective focuses on offering more inclusive and socially-focused activities that are welcoming and accessible to people from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and lived experiences. This includes hosting multicultural celebrations and events, educational guest speakers, community discussions, and social activities that promote connection, learning, and cross-cultural understanding. Community members have substantial input for desired social activities, art projects, guest speakers, outings and support groups. By creating opportunities for meaningful engagement and relationship-building, we aim to foster a stronger sense of belonging and ensure that all community members feel valued, represented, and supported.

Objective 5: Increase Engagement of Different Communities Using Technology

This objective focuses on reducing technology barriers that can prevent people from participating in virtual groups, activities, and services. Efforts include assessing community technology needs, providing access to devices and support for joining SERLC virtual spaces through Zoom, and expanding the use of social media to increase awareness and engagement. This objective also includes enhancing the accessibility of the SERLC website and ensuring that its content, imagery, and design reflect the diverse cultures, backgrounds, and lived experiences of the communities we serve. Additionally, quality improvement and member satisfaction surveys are offered online to increase accessibility and ensure community feedback continues to guide program development and service delivery.

Objective 6: Improve the Aesthetics and Inclusiveness of Meeting Spaces.

This objective includes modifying the SERLC physical spaces used for gatherings to create a more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environment for people from diverse backgrounds, including young adults, older adults, BIPOC individuals, LGBTQIA+ community members, veterans, people with disabilities, and other historically marginalized populations. Efforts include enhancing accessibility, incorporating culturally diverse and affirming artwork and resources, improving signage and accommodations, and creating spaces that foster a sense of safety, belonging, and connection. By ensuring our environments reflect and celebrate the diversity of our community, we aim to make every participant feel seen, respected, and valued.