These values guide and inspire our work with children, families and community partners. We strive to uphold and pursue these values as we work to realize social change both as an organization and as individuals in community:

Collaboration

We believe that no one person, no one agency can address our community’s problems, and so we value our work in collaboration with other organizations and community partners.

“You are never strong enough that you don’t need help.” Cesar Chavez

Integrity

We build trust by engaging in our work responsibly and with accountability. We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards and take personal responsibility for our actions.

“The time is always right for doing what is right.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

Respect

We honor our collective and individual identities and assume positive intent in our interactions. By treating our students, our families, our partners and ourselves with respect, we create the opportunity for authentic relationships and nurture social justice.

“I don’t pre-judge.” Sonia Sotomayor

Creativity

We are flexible and nimble, leveraging resources in order to pursue opportunities as they arise.

“Action is the antidote to despair.” Joan Baez

Curiosity

We commit to being curious about our impact by challenging assumptions through reflection, experimentation, holistic evaluation and adaptation.

“[We cultivate] a mental attitude about critical thinking and curiosity… by looking at the world in a playful and curious and creative way.” Adam Savage

Joy

Everyone deserves to experience joy. We strive to find joy in our work, to inspire joy in our children and families, and to recognize that joy is as necessary as bread to our sustenance and survival.

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”  Thich Nhat Hanh

Core Beliefs

All children benefit when:

• they have as many loving, responsive, safe (and consistent) adults as possible in their lives, because children become resilient through relationships.
• they have equal access to educational, social, and recreational opportunities.
• they are in diverse economic, social, and cultural environments.
• parents are engaged in their child’s school and community, when they know how to navigate and advocate for their children, resulting in positive academic outcomes.

All families benefit when:

• our teachers, family advocates and staff assume that caregivers want the best for their children.
• they develop social connections with multiple individuals, organizations and one another.
• they are supported to build relationships in diverse economic, social, and cultural environments in which they can feel safe, valued and whole.

All communities benefit when:

• the individuals, families and organizations know one another, because communities build resilience through relationships.
• people of diverse cultures, ethnicities, religions and economic capacity are valued and represented.
• we honor diversity, multi-culturalism and respect.
• leaders know one another and can work together toward a common vision.
• the individuals, families and organizations know one another, because communities build resilience through relationships.
• education is viewed as a pathway to success, social change, and leadership.

Theory of Change

By building a resilient and connected community, LEAP seeks to mitigate the effects of poverty, racism, and trauma so that all children and families can prosper and thrive.

LEAP mitigates the effects of poverty, racism and trauma by providing high-quality, trauma informed child care; comprehensive, culturally sensitive family support; and visionary community leadership.