Theories of Change

History | Core Strategies | Theories of Change | Guiding values | The Vision

The values that guide the work of Barrios Unidos draw heavily on the Chicano/Mexicano culture, described as an amalgamation (mestisaje) of spiritual and cultural traditions. Our values, beliefs and traditions flow from an ancient indigenous heritage that assimilates European and other cultural influences introduced to North America over the past 500 years. A primary focus of the Barrios Unidos peace movement has been to build community-based structures to support organizing and social cohesion by restoring the cultural traditions that have historically bound our families and communities together.

The peace movement is first and foremost, a corollary of the struggle to achieve social justice and equity in America (the United States). Barrios Unidos operates on the premise that the root causes of interpersonal and street violence are found in the social conditions of poverty including racism, discrimination, inadequate housing and education, unemployment, poor healthcare and other indices of inequity. In this regard, the Barrios Unidos movement emerged from and continues to uphold the on-going struggle for civil rights in America (the United States).

Barrios Unidos has assimilated into its work the connection between cultural consciousness and political action, a commitment to working in inter-racial alliances and coalitions, promoting community self-reliance and economic development and non-violent action for social change. Barrios Unidos is not a traditional youth service organization, but is instead a hybrid social enterprise that works in a holistic fashion with youth, families, the public and the private sector to build human and community capital thereby strengthening communities and, as a result, the whole of society.