Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Unconditional Care

Unconditional Care is an absolute commitment to maintaining our relationships with youth and families as they face social forces that adversely impact their lives. Their lived experience is often the result of inequitable social conditions that produce disparities in wealth and power. Those disparities may also reflect systematic discrimination and poverty that works to deny their access to resources, ultimately hindering their social, emotional, and economic well-being. We therefore assume responsibility to oppose those systems that preserve social exclusion and inequalities. We must also continually challenge our assumptions and expand our understanding of the social realities of those we serve in our pursuit of Unconditional Care.

In our efforts to affirm and validate the experiences of the youth and families we serve; we will aspire to mitigate the harmful impact of the social inequalities present in their lives. We will aim to offer access to exceptional mental health and educational services. We will advocate for the rights of youth and families of color against racial discrimination experienced within systems of care. We will work to address root causes of poverty that result in housing and food instability. We will support and ally with those who experience prejudice based on their gender identity and sexual orientation. We will also make every effort to aid those who are forced to migrate from their homes and live in constant fear of displacement. Finally, we will always stand with, empower and assist the most vulnerable and marginalized within our communities to confront the forces that block their full participation in society.