Our Mission
AIRE - the Association for Inclusion, Respect, and Equity - exists to promote a community that embraces inclusion, respect, equity, and support for the human dignity of all persons. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving five rural counties in Central Pennsylvania: Columbia, Montour, Union, Snyder, and Northumberland.
Through community events, public education, advocacy, and collaborative programming, we work to uplift and support people who have been historically marginalized - including LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, religious minorities, and youth. AIRE operates through a committee structure that allows community members to get directly involved in the work.
Our active committees - Pride, the Cultural and Religious Alliance (CARA), and the Executive Committee - each focus on a distinct area of community need while sharing a common commitment to dignity and equity for all.
Our Story
The Association for Inclusion, Respect, and Equity (AIRE), formally known as the Coalition for Social Equity, originated in 1992 out of a need to address numerous racial, gender, sexuality, and religious incidents at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and the surrounding communities.
At that time, it was called the University-Community Task Force on Racial Equity, created by Bloomsburg University and the Town of Bloomsburg. It included students, staff, faculty, business owners, activists, teachers, and town residents.
Today, AIRE casts a broader net to promote equality for all historically and present underprivileged people across Columbia, Montour, Union, Snyder, and Northumberland Counties.
Our Values
Inclusion
We are dedicated to helping provide inclusive, safe, and welcoming spaces that meet the needs of our community members.
Respect
We uphold respect for all people and seek to understand the diversity of lived experiences in our community.
Equity
We advocate for those in need through dynamic conversations and exchange of information that celebrates everyone in our community.