Our Values
Our Values
We build with--not for--community, and that includes how we show up for each other on this team.
Internal: We believe every team member deserves to be seen, valued, and supported as a whole person. Therefore, we create a workplace where people can bring their full selves, where every role contributes to the mission, and where we care for one another the way we care for the families we serve.External: We believe Hayward's families and partners are the experts on their own lives and neighborhoods. Therefore, we design our work alongside community — inviting their voice at every stage, sharing decision-making power, and ensuring our programs reflect what families tell us they need, not what we assume.
We do what we say we'll do, and our actions match our words even when no one is checking.
Internal: We believe trust within a team is built on dependability, not just goodwill. Therefore, we make clear commitments to each other, follow through on them, and put systems in place so that accountability doesn't rest on any one person's memory or kindness.External: We believe our partners and families extend us their trust, and that trust must be earned continuously. Therefore, we honor our commitments to schools, agencies, and community organizations — delivering what we promise, owning our mistakes openly, and acting consistently whether or not anyone is watching.
We communicate openly and plainly to inform each step we take, based on data and feedback.
Internal: We believe good decisions require honest information, shared early. Therefore, we speak plainly with each other, make our reasoning visible, and hold space for clarity — surfacing concerns and feedback directly rather than letting them go unspoken.External: We believe families and partners deserve straight answers, not jargon. Therefore, we communicate in plain language, share our data and what it tells us, and are honest about what's working, what isn't, and what we're doing about it.
We care for the resources, relationships, and knowledge entrusted to us on behalf of the generations to come.
Internal: We believe we are temporary caretakers of something built to outlast us. Therefore, we manage our funding responsibly, document and share what we know so it isn't lost when people move on, and build practices that leave the organization stronger than we found it.External: We believe the trust, wisdom, and resources this community has invested in us belong to Hayward's current and future children. Therefore, we protect long-standing relationships, honor the knowledge community members share with us, and make decisions with the next generation in mind, not just the next grant cycle.