In honor of the Open Arms Challenge and their belief in its mission, Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE) would like to offer all applicants the opportunity to take the REDI Bronze course for $25 a person. This applies to anyone in your organization! The course is available to you after your Open Arms application is submitted. 

REDI (Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) works outside the traditional framework of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). Often DE&I is performative, done to look as though diversity is the goal. For this reason, DE&I initiatives seldom last long, rarely transfer power to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), or create systemic and equitable shifts within the organizations that innate them.

“Thanks to Maddie’s Fund^® and Petsmart Charities, CARE is able to offer coursework that helps students look critically at our current and historical failures as it pertains to Racial Equity,” said Jen Evans, Chief Operating Officer at CARE. “CARE seeks to put committed organizations and individuals on a path to greater truth and understanding, and eventually to action.”

CARE’s mission is in the interest of Human and Animal Well-being, to prioritize and amplify BIPOC and other marginalized voices using Narratives, Research, and Community-Centered Investments. Part of that includes that all people are given the opportunity to keep their pets at home, which ultimately relieves the shelters and rescues of the burden of overrun facilities and little resources. Providing these opportunities include the ability to see the benefits of increasing inclusivity and providing a welcoming environment for all staff and current families who have adopted and new potential adopters.

Register for the Open Arms Challenge today! The deadline is March 6. Please note: you will receive instructions and the discount code via email once our grants team has reviewed your application. If you have not received your code by March 12, please reach out to marketing@maddiesfund.org.