“Every individual matters – human and animal. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.” Jane Goodall
“We don’t get a chance to talk about the beauty of the community . . . there is a lot of great people coming out of the neighborhoods.” Nasir Jones
- Put resources into residents’ hands. Programs are designed and managed by people who live and work in public housing. They have the knowledge, and right, to prioritize community issues and solutions. We were smart enough to listen to their ideas.
- Personal relationships. Long-term trustful relationships and word-of-mouth throughout public housing are critical to changing neighborhoods.
- Respect. Treat people with dignity. There is no need for the typical non-profit outreach, education, or charity approach. Good thing, because no community can be changed by outsiders.
- Respond to community needs. Families have the services they need and when they need them. Nobody has been turned down in over 10 years thanks to our long-term veterinary and shelter partnerships.
- Quality veterinary care. We do not offer second-tier services for people or animals from public housing.
- A critical mass of responsible pet owners. When neighborhood families have the services they need to taking care of their pets, they go on to help others do the same.
- Accountability. We share our records, funding, salaries, financial data, and outcomes with communities, funders, and nonprofit agencies alike.
- Board composition. Only people with personal or professional ties to public housing are qualified to serve on the board.
- Long-term funding partnerships. Our funders are the reason why no family is turned down. Our funders know the people who are changing public housing neighborhoods and how they are doing it.
- Long-term results. Seeing neighborhoods undergo change with our own eyes was a surprise to all of us who never dared dream this big.