The Core Values of Fortress Employees
We are:
United in Christ. We believe that we represent the hands and feet of Jesus Christ when we work with our community, and that every member of the team has been called for a God-given purpose when they accept a position with us. We are united by a common love for the God who created us and by our desire to serve God through our work in the Historic Southside; apart from that, we value the diversity of the beliefs, doctrines, and spiritual practices of each team member.
Equity Oriented. As an organization serving a community born from the oppression of Black Americans, we recognize the need for diversity, equity, and inclusivity in our team. We value the contributions of the people of color who serve on our team, and we acknowledge the unique perspectives, opportunities, and gifts they bring to the work we do. We strive to lift the voices of our staff who have firsthand experience dealing with the challenges faced by our children and families and to learn from and respond based on those voices even when it is uncomfortable.
Learning Centered. As an organization promoting the education of children, we create a culture of learning within our team. We encourage our team to develop and sustain a thirst for knowledge, and to be in a constant state of learning, especially as it relates to their work. We prioritize the ongoing education of our team through opportunities such as professional development, certifications, and local and national conferences and summits. To the highest degree possible, we support our employees in the educational goals they set for themselves financially and through flexible scheduling.
Trauma Informed. We recognize the effects that trauma has not only on the children and families we serve, but on our team. We strive to create a trauma-informed environment for everyone who enters our building, to make space for the unique needs of our team, and to offer opportunities for every voice to be represented at the table. When needed, we provide opportunities for Christian counseling through our partner agencies.
Unflinchingly Bold. We are unsatisfied with the way things have always been done and seek to continually improve upon ourselves and our programs. We respond quickly to the diverse and changing needs of our community and eagerly turn ideas into actions.
Rooted in Empathy. We interact with one another and with our children and families from a place of empathy and with a consideration for their unique perspectives. We reject gossip, bullying, and cliques. We foster open communication, honesty, and transparency. We embrace those who make mistakes and grow from them. We offer opportunities to ask hard questions and hear hard answers.
Entrepreneurial yet Disciplined. We believe that when the right people are on our team, they should have the freedom to do their work the best way they see fit, and to express their own creativity and innovation in their role. We expect every member of our team to have the self-discipline, focus, and intrinsic motivation to work toward the mission and goals of the organization, and for each member to set a standard of personal excellence in the work they produce every day.