Palmer Home Cultural Values

Authenticity

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. – Psalm 139:14 NIV

We encourage our team to show up as they are, fearfully and wonderfully made. We value the diverse skills, experiences, and backgrounds of each member of our team and are eager to utilize the unique gifts bestowed on each of us by our creator.

Authenticity to us means we are true to our mission in our words, actions, and beliefs. We are vulnerable, share our struggles, speak up and own our mistakes. There is no pretense. We value integrity, transparency, kindness, humility and using our gifts for good. 

Authenticity means a congruence of words and practice and communicating a real view of our organization. We share stories respectfully and timelessly. We are true, genuine, honest, and accountable.

Adaptability

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  – Philippians 4:6-8 NIV

Change is inevitable, and we embrace new systems and processes that can help our organization thrive and expand our abilities to serve more children and families. We pursue purpose over preference and progress over perfection.

Embracing the inevitably of change, and always willing to shift when it’s in the best interest of the children we serve. Adaptability to us means showing a posture of learning and willingness to change to meet the needs of those served. This posture allows us to further the mission and advance the gospel. This is a parallel process – we ask our families and children to adapt so we too, must adapt to better meet the needs of families, children, staff, partners, and the community. 

We hold all things loosely and believe in purpose over preference, and progress over perfection. The progression of our organization has thrived on adaptability for over 125 years by the grace and mercy of God Almighty. 

Belonging

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14 NIV

Everyone is welcome and has a seat at the table. Through collaboration, teamwork, and communication, we seek to create an environment where each team member and individual served through Palmer Home feels welcome.

Belonging to us means creating a welcoming place to call home. We strive to create the picture of Jesus welcoming all with open arms. There is room for everyone and a seat at our table. We create a support system and community for everyone to feel heard, appreciated, accepted and secure. This connection is our family. 

We believe in equity of voice where you are welcome to express ideas and feel comfortable in all settings. Belonging is how we thrive – like air and water – that creates a feeling that we have arrived home.

Care

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. – James 1:27 NIV

As an organization and as a member of the Palmer Home team, a willingness to give and a willingness to serve should be at the core of who we are and what we do.

We constantly ask ourselves, ‘How can we better serve the children in our care?’ and actively create environments of safety, connection and support for our staff and the children and families we serve. We love beyond understanding due to our longing to protect and nurture. This spiritual wellness is an investment in ourselves and in those we serve.

Faith

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1 NIV

We place fundamental trust in God and hope of things unseen. Our work is grounded in a mission larger than ourselves, and we are grateful to play a role in God’s larger story of redemption and rescue. Faith to us means being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ and reflecting God’s glory through the work we do every day.

We are firmly rooted in the gospel and driven by our Christian mission to serve those in need. He leads and we follow. Our faith is strengthened by collective prayer, a common purpose, a fundamental trust that is unfailing assurance in the hope of things unseen.

How We Live Out Our Values

• Trusting that God will continue to have His hand on Palmer Home, just as He has for the past 126 years
• Asking God to lead us before big – and small – decisions
• Introducing children to the Gospel and nurturing their walk with the Lord
• Prioritizing self-care and burnout prevention in order to provide superior care to the children and families we serve
• Creating a culture of listening, learning and empathy
• Thoughtfully considering the needs of children, families, staff and volunteers in all physical spaces to ensure felt safety, connection and support
• Speaking truth to one another and leaning into difficult conversations in order to be clear (to be clear is to be kind!)
• Evolving to best serve the children in our care – relocating to Hernando, adding the Family, Foster and Transitional service lines, building the Wellness Center