At Providence, everyone is welcome, and one way we make sure caregivers feel that is through our Caregiver Resource Groups (CRGs). The Providence CRGs are vital spaces where caregivers can bond with others with similar experiences, cultures and perspectives—and are open to anyone who wants to learn. They enable meaningful conversations with fellow caregivers and with leadership, as well as connections with the communities we serve. We spoke with some of our CRG members about the primary benefits of the groups.

A place to connect

Janae Osby, co-chair of the 700-member-strong Southern California Black Caregivers Resource Group (BCRG), initially wanted to join to gain a sense of community. “It’s nice to have somewhere that you can have a safe space, somewhere that you can encourage and empower members that you either look like, or people who are advocates, who want to understand more about the Black Caregiver experience at Providence. Who else is out there that’s like me that I can talk to? Where are my folks that I can connect with?”

Cristina Herrera, a member of Somos Providence Latinx Caregiver Resources Group in Southern California, agrees that her CRG enables vital connections. “The majority of our lives are here at work and it’s easy to clock in and clock out and then go about your day,” she says. “But I didn’t want to do that anymore. I wanted to be more involved with the organization, and the fact that they are providing these resources to their employees speaks volumes that they want to help.”

A place to learn

Lisa Bagby, co-chair of the Southern California BCRG with Janae, says the group’s primary focus is on health equity and “what it is to take care of yourself, and how the Black population is especially affected.” In monthly learning sessions, the SoCal BCRG group has covered topics such as hypertension and diabetes, and recently partnered with Fidelity to give a series of talks on personal finance. Says Lisa, “There’s a lot to be gained from it.”

A place to grow in your career

Laura Reyes chairs the Somos Providence group, saying that, in Spanish, the group’s name means, “We are Providence.”

“I think that the message behind our name is that we want to be included,” says Laura. “We want to be heard. We want to be promoted. We want to engage with people of all levels of leadership. We want a seat at the table, we have a lot to offer, and we represent the community in many ways. So, if you give us a chance, we will blow you away with what we can do.”

To Laura, the biggest benefit that Somos Providence offers is their mentorship program. “The first cohort we had eight people: four mentors and four mentees. The second one we had twenty-four.” The program is a six-month partnership, and Laura has heard success stories from both the mentors and mentees. She thinks it’s important to pave the path for others to elevate their position, so there are more leaders who look like the community at large.

Andre Neptune, the executive director of pharmacy for Providence in the Alaska region, also hopes the CRGs in his region continue to foster mentorship so that the organization overall can better reflect the community around it. “Alaska is more diverse than people think. Our schools have some of the most diverse populations and the most languages spoken of any school district in the nation.”

One of the ways we’re showing our commitment to growing a workforce that mirrors our communities is by signing the Impact Workforce Commitment with seventeen other health systems, pledging to hire at least ten percent of new employees each year from economically disadvantaged areas.

Diana Krishna, Providence Swedish LGBTQIA+ program coordinator, is focused on mentorship as well. She draws strength from loving each part of her identity: a first-generation immigrant, trans woman of color and Pacific Islander with South Asian heritage. “We have a responsibility as AAPI leaders, individuals and communities to invest in our young people, especially women. As an immigrant, I know how important it is to open doors for other people who look like me. My vision is to create a safe space for everybody who needs one.”

A place to be accepted

Bobby Hollowell, a pharmacy buyer at Swedish First Hill in Seattle, has been an active member of the LGBTQ+ Caregiver Resource Group almost since its inception. According to Bobby, the group has grown to incorporate Providence caregivers from all over Puget Sound. “It’s been rewarding to see Providence Swedish just dive into that,” Bobby, says, from having the Pride flag flying at all the campuses during the month of June to being part of the annual Pride parade for at least the last seven years.

Bobby says that at previous workplaces, he hasn’t felt that he could be who he is. “I’ve been at organizations where I’ve had to hide myself. Here, I’m accepted fully for who I am and what I bring to the table. I have to say that coming to Providence was one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

A place to give back

Many of our CRGs dedicate efforts to giving back to communities in need. For example, in the past year, Somos Providence has done various philanthropic programs around Southern California, including visiting an elementary school and donating iPads, helping the homeless with Mission LA, and sponsoring a Hispanic heritage event at St. Joseph Medical Center.

With 38 regional Caregiver Resource Groups across seven states, there’s a place for everyone to connect and learn. If you think Providence might be the place for you, view all open roles.