Core Values
Quality Affordable Housing Options for All
We want to realize a mixed income community. Our goal is to see the community progress economically but not leave people behind because of a lack of options, preparation or access. This is nowhere more true than in housing. Rising costs of living matched with rising utilities, insurance, property taxes, and capital and construction costs put affordability out of reach for so many. These factors contributed to our decision to stop managing multi-family rental units. But despite all of these issues, there is a core demand for housing that is below market rate. We have to find ways to deliver quality housing cheaper than the market value and be able to support homeownership and rental opportunities through counseling and subsidies.
Education & Youth Development
Every public high school and elementary school in the Garfield Park and Austin communities is underperforming. Residents are tired of the status quo and eager to make systemic changes in how we educate and develop our children. In order for us to achieve a community of choice, how we approach education is essential. As we flush out this priority, it becomes apparent that our children are not prepared to take on the mantel of leadership and ownership as the next generation of residents of the Westside.
Wealth Creation
Through education and affordable housing options, among other factors, we will begin to see the individual and collective wealth in our communities rise. By increasing savings, investments, and homeownership rates, we will be able to develop indigenous stakeholders in the future of the Westside that gentrification cannot displace. This priority requires innovative ideas and talented individuals committed to supporting residents by providing access and opportunity to build wealth. We opened a Community Savings Center that continues to be a resource for financial education, low cost banking products, and matched savings opportunities. This is a start.
As far as our organization goes, we have been equally as reflective in determining how to get things accomplished. We have identified values for the organization that we are holding ourselves accountable to and if pushed, willing to risk everything for:
Faith: Guided by our belief in God, BNL seeks to create hope through our willingness to take risks in restoring communities. |
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Integrity: BNL strives to be an example of honesty and accountability by following through on our commitments and acting in a manner consistent with our mission & vision. |
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| Family & Community: Empowerment through fostering the creation of opportunities by teaching new skills and behaviors that support the shared vision of a healthy, vibrant, & safe community with truthful communications and dialogue. |
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Justice: We are committed to advocating and providing equal opportunity for community members to gain education, knowledge, and information that will allow individuals to successfully access employment, housing, financial capital, and other resources for a viable livelihood. |
We also spoke about the organization’s desired behaviors, which if everyone focused on would fundamentally change the way we do business as an organization:
Being honest and open in our communications
Doing things right the first time
Being inclusive with staff, Board, volunteers, and other stakeholders
Leading by example internally and externally
Being fanatical about Bethel New Life, Inc. and the work we do
Our staff and our Board have taken all these items to heart and are getting us moving on the road of change. We have aligned our organization to meet these strategies through Board development and organizational changes.
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