These fundamental principles are woven into the fabric of our organization, guiding all of our decisions and actions.  We are trustworthy, transparent and committed to following through with what we say we will do.  We strive to act in the best interests of our clients, staff, volunteers, supporters and community as a whole.

We hold a deep respect for all individuals, which we believe is intrinsic to achieving our vision of a safe community. True respect involves listening, and so we listen actively to those we serve, to each other as staff members and leaders, and to our volunteers, supporters and community at large. We value the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths of those with whom we interact, and we strive to uphold the dignity of all human beings.

We are committed in mind and spirit to serving our clients with compassion, sensitivity, optimism and professionalism.  We are creative in our approach, providing dynamic services that meet the changing needs of our community and that promote safety, well-being and an end to violence.

We believe our potential is endless when we work together. This includes staff coming alongside clients to empower them to attain their own goals, staff supporting each other in carrying out our mission, and staff, board, volunteers and community members focusing our available resources toward making our community safe. We collectively learn from our mistakes, remain responsive to change and provide united leadership to change our community’s future.

We are committed to open, honest and respectful communication with our clients, staff, volunteers, supporters and community. We seek and listen to the advice and feedback of others, and fully disclose relevant information about our financial and programmatic operations. Through lively and engaged dialogue, we enhance understanding and commitment toward attaining our vision.

Generosity and gratitude are very tightly connected. At their very core, they represent who we are and are characteristic of what we do. Generosity shines in our supporters who dream with us and share of themselves to transform individual lives and our entire community. Our staff and partners who generously go the extra mile/give of themselves to uphold human dignity and are bringing an end to violence, recognize the benefits of this generosity and share their gratitude. Generosity and gratitude impact how we work, where we partner and how we support our clients, who courageously face adversity, show gratitude for the support they receive and generously give back to CVIC and our community. Generosity and gratitude come full circle when community partners, volunteers, supporters, and staff work together, bringing a deeper meaning to the sharing of their gifts, time, caring, and hope. We are deeply grateful for those who live with generosity and fervently hope their involvement with CVIC brings meaning to their lives.

At CVIC we are striving to end interpersonal violence in two generations and provide a safe and supportive environment for those we serve, those we employ, and the larger Grand Forks community. To achieve this vision, we must stand in solidarity with people who have been historically and are currently marginalized and advocate for them while they navigate through systems of oppression.  

We at CVIC acknowledge that oppression continues to negatively impact both our community and larger society. We recognize that oppression is a root cause of interpersonal violence.

We are committed to fostering an organization that is equitable, inclusive, and that centers the experiences of our clients. We envision a community, an organization, and programs where people and community are connected, happy, and safe. Specifically, we aspire to be a place where:

• Everyone is respected for their inherent humanity and dignity.
• We are actively listening to, responding to, and empowering those most impacted by oppression.
• People can bring their full, authentic selves.
• Dynamics of power, privilege, and bias are recognized and actively addressed.
• We practice accountability, humility, and a learning mindset.

We commit to actively working toward this vision, regularly evaluating our progress, and applying our learning in order to be a resource and leader in our community.

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Definitions

Marginalized people: People who are systematically excluded from power and resources. Marginalized people can be based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, and socioeconomic status. (https://www.societyfordiversity.org/dei-dictionary)

Systems of oppression: Conscious and unconscious, non-random, and organized harassment, discrimination, exploitation, discrimination, prejudice, and other forms of unequal treatment that impact different groups. Sometimes is used to refer to systemic racism. (https://environment.uw.edu/about/diversity-equity-inclusion/tools-and-additional-resources/glossary-dei-concepts/) 

Oppression: defined as the unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power; cruel and unfair treatment of people, especially not giving them the same rights as other people. (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oppression; https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/oppression)

Equitable: The fair and just distribution of resources and opportunities; considering the different needs and experiences of people to ensure that everyone has a fair chance to succeed. (https://www.societyfordiversity.org/dei-dictionary)

Power: The capacity of an individual or social group to influence the actions, beliefs, or conduct (behavior) of others. It is also seen as the ability to control resources and access.  All power is relational, and the different relationships either reinforce or disrupt one another. (https://www.bsr.org/en/prs/diversity-equity-inclusion-accessibility)

Privilege: An unearned social power accorded by the formal and informal institutions of society to all members of a dominant social group. Privilege is usually invisible to those who have it and puts them at an advantage over those who do not have it. (https://www.bsr.org/en/prs/diversity-equity-inclusion-accessibility)

Bias: Prejudice that is in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in an unfair way. (https://www.ucdenver.edu/offices/equity/education-training/self-guided-learning/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-101)