RESPECT
Respect
starts with a fundamental belief in the talents and abilities
of all people. It means recognizing a basic spiritual connection
shared by everyone. We strive to listen to the other person,
group, or mindset to understand who they are with their hopes
and dreams.
SEEK
BALANCE
There are many facets to a successful life. We're accountable
for our weaknesses and work hard to be the best at what we do,
but we cannot realize our true potential without also having
meaningful time for families, for friends, and for personal
discovery.
ONE
NETWORK, ONE TEAM
We value the unique gifts of each individual and we openly bring
our own interests and skills to the table. But we always remember
that together we can do more than we could ever do alone.
ASPIRE
TO EXCELLENCE
We strive for the highest possible quality in everything we
do. Excellence means having high expectations of everyone we
work with, including ourselves, then providing the systems and
support needed to achieve our goals. Excellence is a form of
respect.
UNLEASH
POTENTIAL
Every person has the potential, though not always the opportunity,
to do great things. We strive to see the strengths in people
and work with them to create the opportunity that allows those
strengths to flourish.
CREATE
OPPORTUNITY
We strive to create a safe space where decision-making power
is shared among partners, adults and youth. By building a positive
network of relationships we can open doors that change lives.
We are willing to take risks and we relish the challenge of
having a vision and making it real.
ALWAYS
LEARN
Both as individuals and as a Network we seek constantly to learn
and grow. We are both students and teachers. To learn, we ask
ourselves hard questions, listen well, and believe that we can
learn something from everyone. Honest reflection is the first
step toward realizing our full potential.
BE
ACCOUNTABLE
We want to be accountable to everyone we deal with externally
and to each other internally. We must be honest, even when it's
hard. We pay attention to detail and performance. Above all,
we take responsibility for our actions.
HAVE
FUN
We take our work seriously but we don't take ourselves too seriously.
Laughing puts many things in perspective.
1.
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Since isolation and segregation of citizens
inhibit the full development of community, our training, mapping, project, and program design work functions to build and deepen relationships between citizens. Creation of intergenerational
links between youth and elders, for example, helps them find their common
ground and mutual interest, i.e., their own particular basis for real communication and interaction.
2.
INCLUSIVENESS & PARTICIPATION
All members of the community have gifts and therefore can make a positive difference in the community. Our work encourages communities, first, to increase their awareness of the diverse gifts citizens have to offer, and second, to create opportunities for the power of these gifts to be released.
3.
YOUTH—AND ALL PEOPLE—ARE RESOURCES
Youth are optimistic, energetic, creative and inspiring to others.
Adults and elders have the wisdom of experience to negotiate
life's difficulties. By training
people to lead change in their schools and neighborhoods, both of these strength-sets can be leveraged. When all people are viewed as resources and assets—as problem-solvers, not problems to be solved—positive community change can occur.
4.
BUILD FROM STRENGTH
Resources, including human capitol, creativity, money, ideas, organizations,
businesses, networks, and social institutions, already exist
for community change. There is talent on every block, in every neighborhood. When neighborhoods discover, develop and connect their assets, they can then focus
them on a common effort toward community transformation.
5.
PROVIDE OPPORTUNTITY
Asset based community development experiences release creativity, talent and energy and help to transform communities at their grassroots. People connect and expand networks. They build neighborhoods and schools
that invest in youth and families. Ordinary people do extraordinary things.
6.
KEEP CONTROL LOCAL
Neighborhood residents are closest to the issues affecting them
and their children and should play a leading role
in efforts to address those issues. Citizen-led,
community-driven processes ensure the highest degree of community
ownership and success.
7.
PROMOTE A "CAN DO" ATTITUDE
Across Connecticut, a team of people is growing who share common attitudes and
values. For people who believe in youth and families, who focus
on opportunities, and who desire positive outcomes that measurably
strengthen neighborhoods, the glass is always at least half full.
8.
BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND
When beginning a journey, we consider certain
basic questions. Where do we want to go? What's prevents us from getting there? What strategies can help us achieve our goal. How do we know
we're progressing? And what will
help us sustain progress? When grassroots community partners commit to contributing resources for mutually beneficial problem solving, community work has the best chance of sustaining success.
9.
LEARNING COMMUNITY ATMOSPHERE
We learn best in vibrant, supportive environments where
people can share their experiences and learn by example. Learning
communities also create a forum for acknowledging our efforts.
10.
OUR STORIES CONNECT US
One of our primary goals is to measure, share and celebrate our accomplishments.
Story mapping is an evaluation process that uses a relational approach to these ends, reflecting the core of our asset-based philosophy, i.e., the recognition that "programs
alone don't change lives; people and relationships do."
