Our mission is to engage in action, education, and advocacy that challenges the status quo and ensures the dignity of every Arvadan who has been marginalized.
Guiding Principles
Anti racism.
We commit to combating racist and inequitable policies, structures, systems, thoughts, and actions in our advocacy.
We continually monitor ourselves and our group so that our work is inclusive and informed by those most impacted by racism.
Integrity.
We are grounded in facts and data about the reality of racism, its history, and its future.
When working together we prioritize and center the voices and opinions of people from non-dominant groups that have historically been silenced or ignored.
We are anti-racist even when it is inconvenient, uncomfortable, and disadvantageous to those not traditionally marginalized.
In so doing, we remain accountable to ourselves and to our greater community.
Compassion.
Our first goal is to focus on the needs of Arvada’s communities and individuals impacted by racism.
Egos and agendas (political, religious, professional, or otherwise) must not interfere with this.
We are expected to look after one another and to ensure safety, both as individuals and as a collective membership.
If you see someone that needs something, help them.
Humility.
Certifications, skill level, and experience will be respected in regards to our work.
Both professional expertise and lived experience will be respected regarding organizing and educational work.
They will not, however, translate into a hierarchy of duties or division of labor.
Before speaking or asking for something, consider whether your question or comment needs to be addressed or whether you can find the information on your own.
Respect.
Everyone will be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of identity or social status of any kind, including developmental, physical, and psychiatric disabilities and chemical dependencies.
Although we focus on combating racism, we will also not stand for sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, ageism, religious persecution, or other forms of historically-rooted oppression.
Members and guests from the community will be talked with, not at or about in front of them. When training and/or orienting new members and volunteers, nobody will be objectified.
Generosity.
We ask that members give to this organization and movement more than they take.
We aspire to work with a mind towards solidarity.
Every effort will be made to assess skill and willingness to volunteer among our members and visitors, and to include as many members of the community in this work as is ethically and logistically possible.
Courage.
Everyone will be sensitive to issues of oppression and privilege.
Please gently confront oppressive behavior in others and be willing to have your own oppressive behavior recognized and confronted.
Respect people’s time and labor, and seek guidance on how to confront oppression gracefully, and how to be generous if you are confronted..
Intentionality.
We recognize the urgency of combating racism and that now is always the time to call for change.
We also recognize that racism will not disappear overnight, and that we are in this for the long haul.