About Us

Our Values

Inherent Dignity, Rights, and the Best Interests of Children, Youth, and Vulnerable Adults

We believe in the inherent dignity and the equitable and inalienable rights of all members of the human family.

As part of the human family, every child, adolescent, and vulnerable adult is our future. They are entitled to special care, protection, and assistance so they will be fully prepared to live in society as valued members of communities.

In all our actions, their best interests shall be a primary consideration. We believe in and work with families’ self-identified needs and walk with them in achieving their goals.

We embrace all types of families and support their growth, and wellbeing. We believe they must be accorded protection and assistance so that all family members can fully assume their responsibilities and contributions to their communities.

Compassion

We notice, feel, and respond to the pain, needs, and challenges of children, adolescents, vulnerable adults, and their families in our communities. We recognize our interconnectedness and the necessity of working together to create communities that are just and free of child abuse.

Cultural Humility

Cultural humility goes beyond the concept of cultural competence and includes:

Developing Cultural Awareness

We are committed to self-evaluation and self-critique to identify our own individual culture, our organizational culture, and prepare us to recognize the culture of others. This process helps us to work effectively in cross-cultural situations. · This is our basis for individuals and systems to respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms, and values the worth of individuals, children, families, and communities and protects and preserves the inherent dignity of each.

Power dynamics

We will develop an understanding of power dynamics and imbalances. are committed to fixing those imbalances through developing partnerships with people and groups who advocate for a just community where children are safe. We will work across systems and with community partners engaging in analysis and action to remove barriers to equity.

Institutional accountability

We will fully integrate the culture of diverse groups into our services, work, and organization.

Equity

We recognize the historical trauma that many in our community have experienced.

We treat every family in an equitable way, bearing in mind their individual lived experiences and self-identified needs.

We prioritize principles of cultural humility and anti-oppressive practices in our work and decision making.

Sustainability

We will manage our organization in a manner that combines people, programming, and financial resources that can be sustained over the long term. Sustainability also ensures that our organization is nimble, flexible, and adaptable to quickly changing conditions, be they financial or responding to the changing needs of children and families in our communities.

We will proactively and consistently identify the needs of our communities, be open to changing directions and programs, and have the fortitude to take risks to achieve our vision and mission.

Efficient and Effective Practices

We assure effective practices for our organization through an active Board and Committees, strong leadership, established processes, regular and ongoing evaluation of programs, annual fundraising plans, goals and practices, and written policies and procedures for efficient operations.

Collaboration With and Commitment to Systems Change

We believe that collaboration is essential. We work within a holistic multidisciplinary team and with organizations in our communities to ensure that children are protected, their best interests are served, and that they may grow and flourish in our just and safe communities.

We believe that a systems approach is necessary to better the lives of children and families. We are committed to initiating, continually improving, and integrating systems responsiveness in creating safety, justice, and violence free lives for all children.

Empowerment

We strive to create a vibrant, strengths-based workplace that provides the conditions for children, families, staff, and volunteers to participate from a place of capacity and equity.

We believe that every family has the right to identify their needs and using a holistic program model move forward.