ADVOCACY
To help us live our values, we look to the decisive power of language. Not only as a means for finding common ground, but as a basic framework for raising more empathic, wholehearted adults.
There’s one word in particular we’ve always rallied around: THRIVE.
A verb in every use, to thrive means to grow vigorously. To flourish. It embodies the action of progressing toward or realizing a goal, despite the circumstances; sometimes even because of them. And our vision to provide the kind of safe, supported environment where youth aged 13 to 18 can embody this decree; where young people can and do unapologetically thrive, is why we tirelessly do what we do every single day.
OUR MODEL IN ACTION
T: TENACITY
This core tenet is indisputable—simply put, you cannot be immersed in this work without tenacity; without a willingness to carry on despite the inherent difficulty or obstacles. At AKI, we do not give up on our kids. As one of our youths describes it, “It’s never giving up; it’s giving more.” We are unconditional in our care, and this same determination applies to caring for our staff. It’s equally as important that whatever comes our way, every AKI employee is wholly supported.
H: HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, BODIES & FUTURES
It’s critical that the youth we usher in are exposed to new experiences and invited into future passions. Most of our teens have rarely had this modeled for them; meanwhile, some have moved between twenty or more foster homes. Upholding sound relationships and bodies is found in the daily details: it can look like learning to care for physical or mental health, planting and tending to a garden, a culinary adventure in our kitchens, or enrolling in extracurriculars that, in turn, help our kids become more grounded and deeply secure—often for the first time.
R: RELENTLESS COMMITMENT TO QUALITY & TRANSPARENCY
As rehabilitation homes, operating at a high caliber seems like a simple enough benchmark. But to truly personify this means we hold a very high standard for ourselves in our actions and interactions. The vibe here will never be, “Stop talking; it’s my turn.” And it’s essential our staff mirror this for our youth: when we emphasize accountability and transparency, we encourage autonomy for our kids, a building block of independence. Our youth learn to see the power of their words in real time—not to mention, the power of being known and seen.
I: INNOVATION
Our innovative streak directly translates into being creative in what we do and how we do it, with an eye on current and evolving best practices. Not only are we reorienting costs from expensive hospitalizations to forge healthier, stronger pathways to adulthood, we’re collaboratively problem-solving on the daily. We’re known as “the problem solvers” by our partners—often, the first questions we’re asking are, “What’s the barrier? How do we help?” In other words: How will our emboldened imaginations and all-in resourcefulness pave the way?
V: VISIONARY ADVOCACY
The architecture of our advocacy is laid the day a teen walks through our doors. We see it, then we believe it into being. Our staff determines their strengths and not-yet recognized talents, then begins the daily work of meeting our youth right where they’re at—there’s no universal “ground zero” in our programs. We advocate for our kids in every capacity we’re able to: in their schools, in casework; in their communities and amongst peers. Even substances aren’t a roadblock for our fierce support, because we’re proud to work from a harm reduction model.
E: EQUALITY & DIVERSITY
When the value of all humans—youth, families, partners and employees—is inherent in our day-to-day work, we’re declaring that all cultures, beliefs and preferences have a place inside our homes. At the heart of intertwining parity with individuality is honoring our youth and staff’s identities and pronouns. The youth in our homes will always know that who they are is enough.