Welcoming All: Brio’s Commitment During Pride and Beyond

June is Pride Month, a time to recognize, celebrate, and stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. Brio Living Services’ mission: “Welcoming All, Partnering Together, and Enriching Lives” is a powerful foundation for that work. When we say “welcoming all,” we mean it. And we’re proud of the many ways our team members live out that mission, during Pride Month and every month.

Fostering an inclusive environment at our locations and offices isn’t just a one-time thing, it’s a continuous team dedication. One way we do that is through Brio’s participation in local Pride festivals. Every year, team members from across our organization step up to represent Brio at these community events, proudly hosting informational booths, greeting festival-goers, and connecting with people who might not yet know about our mission, our programs, or our people.

This year, we reached out to a few individuals who have volunteered to help at these events and connected with several Brio team members who shared their personal reflections on what it means to be part of this effort.

Rachel Webster, Director of Philanthropy for the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation, said, “Representing our organization at Pride is one small step” in Brio’s continued effort to be an inclusive community. She added that Brio means “living life vibrantly,” and that everyone deserves the opportunity to feel celebrated and valued for who they are.

Sara Beal, a Nursing Community Coordinator at Chelsea Retirement Community, shared her thoughts on Brio’s presence at Pride. “I hope people see us as promoting acceptance of everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation.” For her, showing up means supporting not just our residents and participants, but also our fellow team members.

Beyond the festivals, Brio’s commitment to an inclusive workplace shows up in quieter ways, too! In team meetings where everyone has a voice, in communities where residents support one another, and in our ongoing efforts to build trust and connection across roles and locations. 

For Jodee Kelly, an LPN at Green House Homes who has worked at Porter Hills Village for nearly 30 years, participating in Pride reflects a longstanding culture of inclusion. “I have always found Brio to be a supportive and inclusive environment,” she said. “I hope that people know that these are places where they could potentially work and volunteer and be comfortable in knowing that they would be accepted as they are.”

Jodee also lives out Brio’s mission every day by making a special point to sit and talk for a few minutes with everyone. “I make it a point to get to know new team members or potential team members by talking to them, finding out things that they may like or dislike, and don’t just leave it at that.”

Rachel emphasized that true inclusion requires “creating authentic relationships between our team members, residents, participants, families, and partners based on valuing one another.” And we couldn’t agree more! There’s no one-size-fits-all way to build a culture of belonging, and it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes care. It takes listening. And it takes people who believe that every individual should feel that they are safe, seen, and supported.

As we continue to celebrate Pride, we also celebrate our people. Those who volunteer their time, those who share their stories, and those who help create a positive, respectful culture behind the scenes. Whether it’s by staffing a booth at a festival, sharing a kind word, or simply being someone others can count on, these actions matter! They’re what make Brio not just a place to work or live, but a community where everyone belongs.

Thank you to all the team members who continue to show up for one another and for the people we serve. Your commitment helps shape a better future, one where everyone can be exactly who they are, and know they’re in the right place.

If you’re a Brio team member and are interested in volunteering at a Pride Festival or getting more involved in fostering inclusiveness across our organization, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us at WeAllBelong@MyBrio.org. And if you’re looking for a workplace where you can bring your whole self and feel truly welcome, explore career opportunities at MyBrioCareers.org.