Friends Outside

Friends Outside

 Our Mission:

Friends Outside offers caring, evidence-based services to adults and youth who are incarcerated, reentering the community or at risk, so that they, their families and neighborhoods can be safe and thrive.

 Our Vision:

All those impacted by incarceration live with dignity as contributing members of our communities.

 Our Values:

Advocacy

We actively support the rights of those we serve and bring about change by influencing attitudes, laws, policies and practices.

Collaboration

We believe that our success requires working together with others toward a shared mission and goals.

Commitment to Excellence

We strive for the highest level of quality in everything we do, committed to evidence-based practice, Standards of Performance, and supporting qualify of service through data collection and evaluation.

Cultural Competence

We acknowledge cultural values and support cultural competence in our staff, aware that each individual may be influenced by more than one culture at a time and cultural competence begins with our own awareness of cultural influences.

Empowerment

We promote independence, resourcefulness and personal responsibility in those we serve.

Gender Responsivity

We celebrate the differences in gender and sexual identity, including lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgendered and questioning people, and recognize the significance of those differences in navigating life’s challenges and opportunities.

Inclusiveness

We believe that there is strength in diversity and appreciate all individuals for their differences in characteristics, styles, backgrounds, motivations, values and aspirations.

Respect

We respect the individual worth, dignity and rights of those we serve.

Social Justice

We hold that all persons should have the right and opportunity to benefit equally from the resources afforded by society and the environment and that every single person is entitled equal treatment under the law regardless of class, gender, race, religion, citizenship, age or sexual orientation.

Stewardship

We promote public trust by using our resources wisely, by holding ourselves to the highest standards by being transparent in our financial affairs and actions.

Trauma-Informed Practice

We understand the impact of trauma on shaping a life trajectory, supporting practices that are healing and hopeful throughout the lifespan.