CODE OF ETHICS OF MARTIN DE PORRES LASALLIAN CULTURE OF CARE®
Preamble: Martin de Porres Youth and Family Services Code of Ethics is based of the 12 virtues inherent in the Lasallian Culture of Care® Model of Service. Those virtues are Gravity, Silence, Humility, Prudence, Patience, Wisdom, Reserve, Gentleness, Zeal, Piety, Generosity and Vigilance. A cross-section of staff, supervisors and administrators met in the Spring of 2018 to develop this Code of Ethics. The Code was presented to the Board of Directors in June 2018, and unanimously approved by the Board at the September 2018 meeting. All staff received training in the Code at the Staff Retreats in Spring 2019, and were subsequently provided with an electronic copy which was also posted to the organization’s website.
Virtue: GRAVITY
Ethical Principle: MdP Staff understand the importance of our work and strive for a positive impact on all those who come into our care.
Explanation: MdP Staff uphold the seriousness of understanding and not accepting anything other than excellence in providing services to youth and families entrusted to our care. In spite of the challenges presented, we stay grounding in our mission.
Virtue: SILENCE
Ethical Principle: MdP Staff do not remain silent to the injustices our families and youth face with the understanding that silence also allows us to listen, understand and respect those we serve.
Explanation: MdP Staff understand the strength and weakness of the spoken and unspoken word and we recognize when to intercede in the process of Silence that enhances our ability to listen and learn and ultimately allows us to better serve the youth and families in our care. MdP Staff should be observant of the non-verbal cues and body language used by youth and colleagues. Practicing Silence also slows staff to focus on internal issues as well as what is going on in the environment.
Virtue: HUMILITY
Ethical Principle: MdP Staff “humble themselves” to try and understand the realities of life and trauma as experienced by the youth and families we serve.
Explanation: MdP Staff accept that we are limited but will seek and place modesty first when serving and engaging our youth and families. We should never be too proud to admit our wrongs, and should be aware of our emotional and physical strengths and limitations. Staff should promote and maintain the wellbeing of themselves and the youth and families entrusted to their care.
Virtue: PRUDENCE
Ethical Principle: MdP Staff primary goal is to put into practice the skills we hope to instill in our youth and families, that is, common sense, wisdom and caution.
Explanation: Prudence allows us to discern the true good in every circumstance with which we are faced and whenever we are dealing with trauma and difficult situations, especially regarding the youth and families entrusted to our care.
Virtue: WISDOM
Ethical Principle: Wisdom is the quality of possessing knowledge, good judgment and life experiences that inspire us to always seek what is true and just. Our primary goal is to share our knowledge and experience to help your youth, families and colleagues to live a wholesome and productive life.
Explanation: As we continue to learn and grow personally and professionally form our experiences, training and education, it is our responsibility and desire to share our wisdom for the benefit and well-being of the youth and families entrusted to our care. Using common sense, thinking and acting wisely, making decisions based on intelligent refection and discernment are traits that we need to model for the youth entrusted to our care.
Virtue: RESERVE
Ethical Principle: During times of stress, tensions and traumatic events, reserves calls us to “hold back” and to act with dignity, moderation and self-control.
Explanation: Understanding the trauma our youth have faced and continue to experience, we exude the values of self-control and moderation. Reserve urges us to STOP, THINK, and anticipate the outcomes of our thoughts, actions and behavior. Our youth often find themselves being judged, causing them to become apprehensive and often irrational. Modeling reserve, we provide a stable environment for our youth to develop proper coping skills in the midst of adversity.
Virtue: PATIENCE
Ethical Principle: Patience calls upon us to strive for restrain, self-control and willingness to accept difficulties without frustration of anger.
Explanation: Dealing with intense situations in our day to day responsibilities, our staff practices patience to show those entrusted to our care appropriate coping mechanisms, enabling them to grow, coexist and be successful in society. By allowing our youth to learn form their mistakes and not being jailers, we instill the virtues and values of our Lasallian Culture of care®. We believe that whatever difficulties or challenges we face in our service to youth and families, within us is the capacity to endure, remain cool and calm and to overcome.
Virtue: GENTLENESS
Ethical Principle: Gentleness is a core virtue linked to our Lasallian Culture of Care® principles of “Touching Hearts, Instilling Hope, Transforming Lives.” We motivate our youth through the gentle touch of wisdom, guidance, kindness and care which supports them to achieve success and lock their full potential.
Explanation: MdP Staff are dedicated to serving the “least,last,lost” and our approach focuses on being healers not jailers. It is through gentleness that we touch their hearts, teach them to love themselves and others, and instill hope in them to believe that nothing is impossible, thus transforming their lives toward a better future.
Virtue: ZEAL
Ethical Principle: MdP Staff should be dedicated and approach with positive energy when tasked to serve our youth, families, and each other.
Explanation: Having an energetic and enthusiastic approach for al tasks, staff will be devoted to serve the youth, their families and each other in meeting their needs.
Virtue: GENEROSITY
Ethical Principle: MdP Staff will display degreesof kindness, selflessness, understanding and compassion toward youth and colleagues.
Explanation: With our experience and knowledge, we share out time and effort prioritizing the needs of our youth and families in order to create a supportive, caring environment.
Virtue: PIETY
Ethical Principle: Through the Lasallian Culture of Care ® staff is mindful and devoted to the cultural and spiritual needs of youth and colleagues.
Explanation: MdP Staff will be respectful and mindful of all religions and spiritual beliefs and needs (including food, days of observation, clothing, etc). MdP Staff will be respectful of different world views, be aware of care of the soul, and develop cultural competence is relating to youth, families and colleagues.
Virtue: VIGILANCE
Ethical Principle: MdP Staff will be mindful, physically, mentally and emotionally alert, and present to the youth entrusted to our care.
Explanation: Staff provide supervision to all youths in care, on activities, and in the community. Staff also interact with youth being sensitive to their environment and experienced trauma.