March 2021 Newsletter
Dear MHAS Supporter,
Earlier this year, the Staff and Board of Directors of Mental Health Advocacy Services revised the organization's mission statement and adopted a new vision statement and core values. Each of these changes is a result of thoughtful and engaging conversations held by our team in order to best reflect our work.
Mission: To protect and advance the legal rights of low income adults and children with mental health disabilities and empower them to assert those rights in order to maximize their autonomy, achieve equity, and secure the resources they need to thrive.
Vision: We envision a world in which people with mental health disabilities thrive in the community, free from stigma, discrimination, and injustice. We see a future where all people are safely housed and economically stable, where we are all treated fairly everywhere we go, and where we each have the opportunity to pursue our own dreams.
Empowerment: Our work is driven by the desire to provide our clients with the resources needed to achieve autonomy and self-sufficiency, and to live the life they choose rather than one that is chosen for them by others.
Dignity: We believe in the humanity and value of every person. We aspire to treat every individual with respect, kindness, and understanding.
Equity: We focus on ensuring that our services are both trauma-informed and accessible to communities who have been traditionally underserved or marginalized.
Collaboration: We value collaborating with other organizations in the community and we work in partnership with our clients to help them achieve overall stability and well-being.
Wellness: Knowing that we provide better services when we take care of ourselves, we prioritize the well-being, safety, and physical and mental health of both our clients and our team.
For nearly 45 years, MHAS has established itself as a fierce mental health and disability rights advocate. We are proud to present these new guiding statements and are confident that they will help us to continue delivering on our founding principles.
Sincerely,
Jenny Farrell
Executive Director