Values

In our interactions with children, families, and each other we strive to embody our core values of: Respectfulness, Stewardship, Innovation, Collaboration, and Hope.

Respectfulness

Respectfulness is the basis of all of our interactions with clients, other professionals, sister service organizations, referral sources, Salesmanship Club members, donors and each other.  Problems and solutions are viewed as interactional and contextual, requiring shifts in the system so that each person’s view can be understood and acknowledged.  Respecting each individual implies a concern for ensuring his/her protection.  It is difficult for people to grow and change in an atmosphere of physical or psychological threat, so the creation of a climate that balances care and accountability is of utmost importance.

Stewardship

Stewardship is our accountability for the quality, outcomes and cost effectiveness of programs and services.  We seek increasingly effective ways to reach children and families through continuing program evaluation and self-study.  Stretching our resources to provide high quality services at a reasonable cost is a critical goal.  Furthermore, we are committed to extending the impact of our available funds to other institutions, families and children by playing a leadership role in mental health, in education and in our community.

Innovation

Innovation implies that we still have much to learn.  New ideas and skills continue to emerge that can make a difference in our lives and the lives of our clients.  When our efforts to help are not successful, we must challenge our own thinking and assumptions in an effort to find another approach.  By working in teams, our efforts to be innovative must stand the scrutiny of colleagues and be informed by their wisdom and experience.  We also hope that our efforts to be innovative may contribute to our field’s growing understanding and positively impact the lives of kids and families who will be served by other professionals.

Collaboration

Our dedication to collaboration ensures that we operate within the context of community.  We collaborate with kids and families and seek to privilege their voice in the process.  We collaborate with other service providers to learn with them and to nourish strong referral relationships.  We know we will never hold all the answers or even ask all the right questions; it is through effective collaboration that we improve our collective understanding of the community need, the work, and the potential of our impact.

Hope

Hope speaks to our optimistic belief that positive change can and will occur.  We salute the thousands of families who, each year, access our services and take concrete steps in pursuit of their own hopes and dreams.