Connect Ferndale began in the fall of 2019 with the idea that if neighbors connect with people different than them, relationships are built that create lasting trust and safety for all members of our community. We believe connection creates compassion and understanding.
Mission Statement
Connect Ferndale cultivates community growth and connection through civic participation and community building to advance inclusion, honor diversity, and encourage participation for everyone in our community.
Vision Statement
We envision a Ferndale that values people as unique individuals and finds strength in our community’s rich culture and diversity
Values
We believe the following values are central to building the kind of community we envision:
Collaboration- We believe that we are better together, and we are committed to working together to make decisions and take actions that build and strengthen our community.
Respect- We are committed to respectful communication: Being curious, being open, caring for the feelings, wishes, rights, and traditions of each other.
Equity- We are dedicated to the fair treatment of all and we actively work to reduce bias, stereotypes, and barriers that limit Ferndale community members’ civic and social participation.
Learning- We support a learning environment that challenges all individuals to grow through active listening, engagement, and risk-taking.
Responsibility- We accept responsibility for our words, actions, biases, and ideas and actively work to be open to new ideas and experiences.
Empathy- We will always work to understand all people's perspectives by learning from and sharing their experiences.
Safety- We will work to make Ferndale a safe and welcoming environment for all.
Accountability- We hold ourselves, our community, our government, and other important community systems to these values, acknowledging both successes and challenges.
Normalizing diversity- We celebrate our differences as a community and honor the challenges people face. We take actions that help all groups to feel safe and accepted.
Anti-racism- We resist racist policies, practices, and ideals which hold any race as either superior or inferior.