Message from the President

President/CEO Gisselle Acevedo reflects on the impact of values on Para Los Niños and her professional life. 
 
Why is it important for an organization to have values?
Our core values provide clear guidance and set expectations for the teachers, administrators, children and parents at Para Los Niños. Values develop a distinct culture in an organization. They shape our relationships, our behaviors and our choices. Values must be understood and talked about and lived and incorporated into the fabric of the organization so they guide day-to-day activities. 
 
What three values are most important to you? Why?

Integrity
Integrity means that you know deep in your heart what is right, moral and just; that you remain true to yourself; and that your thoughts, words, and deeds are in full alignment with your core beliefs. Each decision and action I take must be guided by a strong sense of integrity based upon an evaluation of what is in the best interests of Para Los Niños, in light of our mission.
 
Honesty
Our greatest gift to the children we serve and the community we are building is to model truth, even in the most difficult moments. It is important that everyone can count on my word, and that I hold others accountable for adhering to this value. After all, the children are watching.
 
Teamwork
Working together to achieve a goal or solve a particularly complex problem is not always possible with only individual talents — it’s the combination of skills. Working as a team, we must negotiate, think about each other, and understand that success lies only in “we.”
 
How do the Para Los Niños values influence your work day to day?
Para Los Niños’ values do not change from time to time or from situation to situation. If we maintain our core values, they will serve as the glue that binds our employees and the compass that guides Para Los Niños into the future.

To read an interview featured in our 2007-2008 annual report, please click here.

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