- We are a community of abandoned youth and those who love them

- We delight in blurring distinctions between “us and them,” “givers and receivers,” “program and community” and other barriers

- We collaborate with other groups and organizations with similar goals and good will

- We are invited to a Family Table—a place of embrace

- We are invited to The Lord’s Table—a sacred space with Jesus

- We address hungers of the whole person—physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational

- We provide a place of felt safety and affirmation

- We offer special embrace and preferred seating for those most rejected and excluded by society

- We treasure each person as precious

- We listen for each person’s voice and life story

- We celebrate our shared story as a community

- We provide trauma-informed care, informed by research and best practices

- We pursue shared spiritual formation, personal development, and leadership training

- We work for healing, believing that wounds and gifts are all part of our unfolding story

- We practice a “spirituality of imperfection” that recognizes change as a messy and non-linear process

- We uncover hidden potential and equip one another for excellence

- We believe that everyone has something vital to contribute

- We recognize our need, and society’s need, for the great gifts of our youth

- We relentlessly pursue opportunities for each of our young people

- We work to transform individuals, families, communities and society

- We train youth to be change-agents and bridge-builders in their communities—fostering social justice, peace, and understanding