Guiding Beliefs
The WOCRC has four core deeply held beliefs, which guide our approach to serving our community and are demonstrated through our day-to-day interactions with clients, partners, volunteers, members and staff.
The beliefs are: empowerment, equity, partnership and innovation.
Empowerment
We believe that people have the right to make their own choices, and take control, individually and collectively, of their lives.
Therefore, we are committed to providing information and resources which will enable people to make informed decisions. We are dedicated to creating an environment where people participate in activities that promote social change.
Equity
We believe that dignity, respect and justice are rights of all people regardless of age, language, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, ability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, income, geographical location or sexual orientation.
We acknowledge that there are systemic, social and cultural barriers that prevent people from having equal access to resources and opportunities.
Therefore, we are committed to recognizing and addressing barriers such as violence, poverty, isolation, exclusion, oppression and discrimination, so as to enable people to reach their full potential.
Partnership
We believe that by working together we can achieve more than we can on our own.
Therefore, we are committed to creating partnerships with individuals and groups that build on equality, respect, integrity, accountability and responsibility. We will engage with others in a supportive, non-judgmental environment where everyone can share knowledge, experience, strengths and skills.
Innovation
We believe that we will transform our vision into reality by developing innovative solutions to the complex and diverse issues facing our community.
Therefore, we are committed to creating a learning culture that is flexible, dynamic, embraces change, and encourages evolutionary thinking. We are dedicated to sharing our learning, knowledge and best practices for the benefit of the people with whom we interact.
In addition to these four Guiding Beliefs, the WOCRC also stands by its commitment to Client Rights.
Land Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge that the lands on which we live, work, study, and worship belong to the Algonquin nation.
These territories, comprising the Kichi Sibi (Ottawa River) watershed, and including all of Canada’s national
capital region were never surrendered or ceded by the Algonquin nation.
Systems of colonization were utilized to fraudulently acquire this land and exploit its resources. There are
Algonquin communities not far from Ottawa which are still without clean drinking water and adequate housing, and where families live in dire poverty.
We acknowledge this land not only in thanks to the Indigenous communities who have held relationship with this land for generations but also in recognition of the historical and on-going legacy of colonialism. We will
strive to make this acknowledgement a reality not only in our words, but in our actions. WOCRC is working
towards reconciliation in our work with women and children as well as our various programs and services and is committed to this ongoing process.