Dear LIFT Team and Supporters,
We are excited to share that we have updated LIFT’s values to reflect our evolution to an organization focused on changing systems. As we grow, learn, and adapt to meet the needs of the communities we serve, the timing felt right to co-create a future where our values guide every aspect of our work. Together, we sought to ensure that these values align with our deepening focus on “liberatory practice” and reflect our intentions for the organization, our work with LIFT parents, and our broader impact on society to reshape systems.
After thoughtful reflection and input from across our community, we landed on five new values that capture LIFT’s evolving identity. These refreshed values speak to our dedication to investing in Hope, Money, and Love and reflect our ongoing commitment to holding ourselves accountable with love as we work to transform systems so that all families are met with dignity and respect.
To ensure these values are inclusive and representative of the diverse perspectives within LIFT, we invited feedback from staff, coaches, members, and our National Board. Together, we asked tough questions: What excites us about our current values? Where do they fall short? Which values do we find most challenging to embody? What new values should we embrace, and which ones need reimagining? Through this collaborative process, we identified key concepts to incorporate, such as Love, Inclusion, Joyful Innovation, Accountability, Impact, Learning, and Continuous Improvement. We also defined our impact across three key areas: the organization itself, the parents with whom we partner, and the society we seek to influence.
Our work didn’t stop there. At LIFT’s All-Staff Summit, our Culture Committee led important discussions on how we can actively live out these values. We celebrated those who already exemplify these ideals by nominating and honoring “LIFTie” award winners tied to each new value. As a final step, we codified these values into our Culture Guidebook, ensuring they will continue to shape our work moving forward.
Reflecting on this journey, our National Board co-chair, Will Darman, beautifully captured the spirit of the process, saying: “I am so moved by the beauty and boldness of the values and was excited to share them with my daughters. These values capture well how I would love for them to approach the world.” This statement resonates deeply with us, highlighting that these values are more than just words—they are aspirations we all share for how to engage with each other and the world.
It’s with pride and anticipation that we now share these values with you—because at LIFT, our values are not just our foundation; they are our future.
With gratitude and excitement,
Cheryl Wadhwa & Deanna Singh
Cheryl Wadhwa, Sr. Director, Talent and Culture
Deanna Singh, National Board Member