- We believe that the process of integration demands our diligent effort to understand, participate in and contribute to our host community while embracing, sharing and maintaining our cultural heritage.
- We believe that integration of immigrant families is achieved when the process is understood as a two-way learning experience that engages both the newcomers and the host community in reciprocal understanding, respect, and adaptation. We are committed to the construction of bridges between the two.
- We believe that socio-economic change occurs when people affected by a problem are at the center of any effort aimed at designing solutions. Cultivating grassroots leadership among the community we serve through genuine opportunities for participation in our organization’s decision-making processes is a priority.
- We believe that exclusion on socio-economic or cultural grounds leads to predatory and discriminatory practices. A concerted effort to curtail abuse and injustice against Hispanic families and individuals is essential in order to decrease their vulnerability and improve living conditions.
- We believe interaction between service providers and service recipients should be mutually beneficial. The absence of this reciprocity will maintain social isolation.
- We believe making services available to immigrants, regardless of their immigration status, is not only desirable in terms of human and social development, but also is a fair response of the host community in recognition for the contributions of immigrants.
- We believe that challenges faced by Hispanic people are not unique to this population, but are shared with other groups that have been historically marginalized. Therefore, we want to work collaboratively with other minorities and organizations that serve them.
- We believe that the development of culturally competent services is critical to the feasibility and success of any initiative targeting diverse populations. Provision of services to Latinos requires a culturally competent team.
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