CACLV VALUES STATEMENT

The mission of the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley is to improve the quality of life by building a community in which all people have access to economic opportunity, the ability to pursue that opportunity, and a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.

As an advocate, CACLV is the conscience of the Lehigh Valley.

• We are partners, coalition-builders and team players.
• We are a think tank, conducting professional research on poverty and its causes, understanding issues as the first step in the problem-solving process.
• We define the cutting edge in the problem-solving process.
• We speak out, putting the truth above CACLV’s institutional reservation.
• We believe charity is something a society must provide when there is no justice.
• We pursue justice.

 
As a community development organization, CACLV values neighborhoods that are economically self-sustainable.

• We want businesses to make a fair and honest profit in our neighborhoods.
• We want jobs to pay wages that enable households to be self-sufficient and are safe, enriching and in reasonable proximity to neighborhoods.
• We want institutions to be humane and responsive to human needs.
• We want neighborhoods to be culturally rich, fun and healthy.
• We want all people to participate in civic life and, indeed, we believe that citizenship is the highest form of self-sufficiency and that our society is far more threatened when poverty leads to apathy and dependence than when it leads to anger and activism.

 
As a human services agency, CACLV values people.

• We identify needs and push the community to respond rather than offer services based on available resources.
• We give people the tools to solve their own problems, rather than solve those problems for them.
• We treat people equally, with courtesy, compassion, respect, patience and dignity.
• We safeguard their confidentiality.
• We believe people deserve another chance but expect personal responsibility in taking advantage of that extra chance.

 
As a non-profit corporation, CACLV values responsible stewardship of the funds entrusted to us and the resources available to us.

• We want our audits to be flawless.
• We want taxpayers and our donors to be certain that their funds are well-spent.
• We use our purchasing power to advance our mission.
• We will not waste resources, including natural ones.
• We have a Board of Directors that has the highest standards for its fiduciary responsibility.

 
As an employer, CACLV values our employees.

• We respect the needs of our employees’ families.
• We offer employment opportunities that are personally fulfilling.
• We try to pay fair wages and offer good benefits.
• We want the workplace to be safe.
• We value longevity, creativity, dedication, honesty and hard work.
• We are serious about equal opportunity and celebrate diversity.
• We have high standards of personal and professional conduct and ethics.
• We expect our employees to understand that they are role models.
• We respect our co-workers and treat them as we would want to be treated.
• We have fun.