Mission & Philosophy

The Good Shepherd Mission

The Good Shepherd mission is “Love-In-Action” and rests on the belief that “One person is more precious than a world.”

Our Vision

To create an atmosphere based on respect and caring which empowers the children we serve to reach their maximum potential for wholeness.

Good Shepherd services for adolescent children are designed:

• To cultivate a sense of achievement
• To encourage self-determination, problem-solving, decision-making, a sense of responsibility and service
• To strengthen interpersonal and family relationships
• To promote an understanding of moral and ethical values

Zeal

The passionate giving of our time and talents in the service of the welfare of others and the betterment of our world.

Mercy

Acting with compassion and kindness, recognizing that all people sometimes make mistakes, and need the support of others to be restored to physical, psychological, and spiritual health.

Reconciliation

Working together in harmony, resolving conflicts, promoting open communication and assisting all in finding personal peace in their relationships with family and society.

Individual Worth

Recognizing the value of each person and always treating everyone with respect.

• To nurture the human dignity, self-determination and uniqueness of each person.
• To adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional competence.
• To use the power of a healthy network of relationships as a means to create positive change.
• To create vistas of hope for change and growth for each person.
• To foster collaboration, networking and communication.
• To act with compassion, humility and fairness.
• To provide opportunities for others to reach full potential in the areas of social, emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual growth and to come to wholeness.

Good Shepherd Center’s logo or symbol depicts the growth process that takes place daily at the Center.  In maturing, adolescents must learn to find and stabilize that intangible inner core which makes them whole and unique.   
                             
In the circle, which represents Good Shepherd Center, can be found both the symbolism of one’s inner center and that universal center in which each person must participate.  The continuity of the circle suggests the on-going drive of human growth.  Finding their center of being, discovering their potential and feeling secure in it, adolescents can then celebrate their individuality and meet life-challenges with the inner strength represented by the cross.

The shepherd’s staff speaks doubly: of the dedicated service rendered by the staff of Good Shepherd Center and also of the potential emerging from within the adolescents as they reach out and give of themselves.