Building a Working Multi-Cultural Community  

LNA believes the neighborhood’s diverse population and diverse housing stock is an asset to the community that is best utilized when people understand each other and when connections are made across the neighborhood’s diverse communities. LNA further believes that building strong bonds and bridging relationships between community members makes the neighborhood healthier by providing people with the connections they need to pool their resources to take advantage of opportunities to improve their quality of life and address issues in the community.

Asset Based Organizing

LNA believes the most effective way to improve the neighborhood is to start with the assets that already exist in the community. LNA further believes that community members, through their ideas, time, and energy, are the neighborhood’s most important asset. We reject traditional client service models that demean people in need because we believe all community members are important and bring skills and abilities to the table.

Civic Engagement

LNA believes all community members have the right and responsibility to be involved in determining the neighborhood’s direction. LNA further believes that neighborhood organizations play a vital role in  Minneapolis’ civic ecosystem by providing a positive vehicle for people to channel their energy and ideas and that LNA has an important role to play in shaping Minneapolis’ future.

Sustainability

LNA believes the organization has an important role in helping to create a more sustainable community where there is a balance between the resources we use and the resources we create. LNA further believes that a truly sustainable community works towards achieving the sustainability of all of its resources, including human, environmental, housing, transportation, economic, and recreational.

Flexibility

LNA believes it is important to be an organization that is open to different approaches and that we should be willing to try new things with thought and intention.