The Vision

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

From its inception, the focus of Barrios Unidos has been on building an organizational base to support the peace movement rather than simply building an agency. The long-term vision of Barrios Unidos' founders is to establish an Institute for Peace and Community Development based in Santa Cruz and focused on supporting an organized peace movement and community development effort in California and eventually throughout the United States.

The ultimate goal of the Institute is to transform the most impoverished and disenfranchised sectors of society—our ghettos and barrios which are currently plagued by poverty, violence and internal conflict—into peaceful and prosperous communities in which human, natural, technological, and financial resources are fully developed and utilized for the individual and social well-being of all members of society. The work of the Institute will draw from and expand upon the multiple strategies and activities that have been developed over the years by Barrios Unidos staff, which are guided by cultural, spiritual, and non-violent principles, to promote social justice, economic equity, civic leadership, democratic participation, community development, self-reliance and peace.

By first strengthening and building upon the important and central role of the family, the Institute would seek to contribute to the cultivation and stabilization of a communal environment, both locally and nationally, that fosters the evolution of children and adults to the fullest expression of their humanity. Within such an environment children, youth, adults, and elders are all nurtured and afforded full participation in every aspect of the economic, social and civic life.

A central focus of the Institute will be the recapturing of the cultural and spiritual traditions of our native ancestors while also teaching understanding and respect for the dignity of all cultures and spiritual traditions. The Institute will harness the power of culture and spirituality to reclaim and restore imperiled young lives, prevent interpersonal violence, provide an avenue to end gang warfare and develop and promote promising strategies for building healthy and vibrant communities.