Community Connections Incorporated. - MISSION STATEMENT
Community Connections Incorporated in response to community needs exists to seek to achieve "Social Justice" and to provide the opportunity for people in need to reach fullness of life within Community Connections Incorporated resources.
To the owners "Social Justice" means,
A basic value and desired goal in democratic societies and includes, human rights, equitable and fair access to societal institutions, laws, resources and opportunities, without arbitrary limitations based on observes, or interpretations of differences in age, colour, culture, physical or mental disability, education, gender, income, language, national origin, race, religion or sexual orientation.
Where difference is understood and valued, and where human dignity, the Earth, our ancestors and future generations are respected and all members are physically safe and secure. Social Justice is a basic principle of citizenship which requires a fair distribution of resources, power, rights and opportunities. The four key elements of Social Justice are;
- Equity (is achieved by the promotion of fairness in the distribution of economic resources and political power)
- Equality of rights
- Access to essential services
- Participation (citizenship participation)
- Empowerment, citizen participation and consumer rights spring from the principles of Social Justice
Empowerment is achieved by people;
- giving power to someone so that they have power over their own lives so that they can make choices about all aspects of their lives,
- knowing that they have the right to make these choices,
- knowing their basic rights and entitlements,
- having adequate resources such as money, housing and education,
- having power in their relationships, not over others, but mutual relationships based on equality and sharing,
- having knowledge and information in order to make decisions and choices.
Citizen Participation occurs when people have the right to be involved in all decisions that affect their lives. If this is not physically or practically possible, then they have the right to be adequately represented to ensure their views and opinions are understood and considered.
Consumer rights, all people have the basic right to be informed, have choices and seek redress if necessary. This principle applies to goods and services which are paid for as well as community and human services which are available to all people irrespective of income or social status. These rights cover such areas as health services, housing, institutional care, transport and services for groups with special needs.