Mission
Our mission is to make respect the status quo. We give youth and their influencers the tools to redefine respect and build self-respect so they can break cycles of disrespect and thrive.
Our programs for youth and young adults include a half-day summit, the Respect Rally, and The RESPECT: Keep It Going! Kit, a weekly program that increases healthy behaviors and leadership skills while reducing negative trends like bullying. We primarily train adults working in schools, organizations, jails, group homes and shelters to integrate tools like The Respect Basics and Respect Kit into their existing prevention and intervention programs. Our president, Courtney Macavinta, also writes best-selling books for youth, including RESPECT.
Our vision: Did you know the root meaning of the word RESPECT means: to look again? What if everyone could look at themselves and know they’re valuable and worthy of respect? What if they “looked again” at others with compassion and treated them with respect? When people have respect on the inside, they can thrive vs. getting trapped in cycles of disrespect including bullying, -isms, violence, abuse, inequality, poverty, poor health, unhealthy relationships, inadequate education and low self-esteem.
Our impact: Since 2005, we’ve empowered millions to use The Respect Basics to thrive and lead social change.
Our values: We are committed to…
- Practicing respectful and nonviolent communication, integrity and accountability. Being mindful of our impact and intentions as leaders, giving and receiving honest feedback, and staying true to our organizational outcomes in all our activities. We believe: How we get there matters. Developing self-respect and mutual respect skills for all individuals to foster their ability to thrive.
- Self-respecting individuals’ powerful ability to create more respectful relationships, homes, schools, communities and workplaces.
- Creating social change through partnerships with allies in communities nationwide.
- Including diverse voices, expertise and experiences in our work—all change is created through relationship.
- Walking our talk by constantly practicing The Respect Basics to improve our self-respect, relationships, self-efficacy, community and future, and supporting the self-care of those who work with us.
- Using resources thoughtfully to make the most wide-reaching, sustainable impact possible on the people and organizations we serve.
- Continuously learning and evaluating our work and behaviors to create an effective and nimble organization that makes a meaningful and measurable positive impact on the people and communities we serve.
