Guiding Values

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

Cultural Identity and Tradition – We believe that the expression of cultural and spiritual traditions are central to the humanity, health, and well-being of people of Chicano, Latino, and indigenous descent. Our highest humanity and communal values flow from the understanding and practice of our traditions. Our culture is expressed through our hearts, minds, enterprise, ingenuity and community service through which we contribute to all facets and dimensions of American? society.

Organizational Integrity – We assimilate cultural consciousness, understanding and expression into all aspects of our core strategies, organizational endeavors and community life. The leadership, staff and volunteers share the responsibility to preserve the integrity of the organization and apply its guiding values across all aspects of our work.

Cultural Integrity and Respect – We believe that respecting the cultural integrity and dignity of people from all backgrounds is central to the well-being of our community and society as a whole. Practicing tolerance and respect for those who are different, respeto a lo ajeno, is central to our mission. We value inter-cultural exchange and mutual learning for societal benefit. We recognize the importance of and work towards development of a high level of cultural fluency amongst our leaders and within community, social, public and private institutions.

Justice and Community Peace – Central to our mission is achieving peaceful and healthy communities (i.e. social and economic well-being for all people) by advancing civil rights through solidarity, partnership, collaboration and coalition with other activists and social justice institutions.

Economic Self-reliance and Empowerment – We believe that community centered economics begin with regaining and maintaining the responsibility for stewardship of the land and its resources and living in balance and harmony with the earth. All of our economic development enterprises, including the attainment and management of our assets, are socially responsible, serving broad community benefit and promoting self-reliance through equitable access to quality education, training, labor market, and business opportunities.

Civic and Political Empowerment – Central to our mission is supporting the informed involvement in political and civic life by all community residents: youth, parents and elders as stakeholders in positive social change. All of our leadership development, education, organizing, community mobilization and political action are guided by non-violent principles for social change.