Cesar E. Chavez Service Programs

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Ten Core Values

The Cesar E. Chavez Foundation and the Chavez family reflected upon the life of Cesar E. Chavez and identified the following core values by which he lived his life.  Although Cesar E. Chavez is gone, his values have important contemporary meaning and universal application.  The values embodied in the work of Cesar E. Chavez include:      

Service to Others
Service that is predicated on empowering others; engendering self-help, self-determination, and self-sufficiency versus charity.
 
Sacrifice
Sacrifice that is spiritual; that recognizes our obligation to one another as one humanity; that is courageous and steadfast in its willingness to endure great hardship for others.
 
A Preference to Help the Most Needy
A concerted effort to reach out to the most in need, the most dispossessed, the most forgotten people in society no matter how difficult the challenge that choice may bring. 
 
Determination
Determination that is characterized by an attitude that with faith, steadfast commitment, patience, and optimism, human beings can prevail against all odds.
 
Non-Violence
Invoking non-violence as the most powerful tool for achieving social/economic justice and equality; action that requires boldness and courage versus meekness and passivity. 
 
Acceptance of All People
An essential ingredient for success in organizing diverse forces to achieve social change, create community, and actualize democracy; an indispensable necessity to the well-being of this country.
 
Respect for Life and the Environment
Respect that holds as sacred the land, the people, and all forms of life.
 
Celebrating Community
Sharing the joyous and respectful expression of cultural diversity through the reinforcement of the values of equity and responsibility to and for one another.
 
Knowledge
The pursuit of self-directed learning and the development of critical thinking and constructive problem solving skills.
 
Innovation
A creative capacity to find pragmatic strategies and tactics to resolve problems and situations that often seem insurmountable to others.