Theory of Change
The values that guide the work of Barrios Unidos draw heavily on the Chicano/Mexicano culture, described as an amalgamation (mestisaje) of spiritual and cultural traditions. Our values, beliefs and traditions flow from an ancient indigenous heritage that assimilates European and other cultural influences introduced to North America over the past 500 years. A primary focus of the Barrios Unidos peace movement has been to build community-based structures to support organizing and social cohesion by restoring the cultural traditions that have historically bound our families and communities together.

The peace movement is first and foremost, a corollary of the struggle to achieve social justice and equity in America (the United States). Barrios Unidos operates on the premise that the root causes of interpersonal and street violence are found in the social conditions of poverty including racism, discrimination, inadequate housing and education, unemployment, poor healthcare and other indices of inequity. In this regard, the Barrios Unidos movement emerged from and continues to uphold the on-going struggle for civil rights in America (the United States).

Barrios Unidos has assimilated into its work the connection between cultural consciousness and political action, a commitment to working in inter-racial alliances and coalitions, promoting community self-reliance and economic development and non-violent action for social change. Barrios Unidos is not a traditional youth service organization, but is instead a hybrid social enterprise that works in a holistic fashion with youth, families, the public and the private sector to build human and community capital thereby strengthening communities and, as a result, the whole of society.

Core Strategies
Education – To restore cultural and spiritual traditions through dynamic forms of education via formal and informal methods (including multi-disciplinary academic instruction) to impart an understanding of history, engender positive identity and self-esteem, develop critical reasoning and promote values that instill the centrality of family, respect for others, respect for nature and the responsibilities of civic and communal life.

Community Outreach – To conduct outreach in community, school and institutional settings allowing us to identify youth in at-risk circumstances and build trusting, supportive relationships, sharing the Barrios Unidos message and resources through individual counseling, mentoring, education, tutoring and positive group activities. Outreach includes the employment of such strategies as conflict mediation and intervention, supporting truces in gang and community conflicts, community advocacy training and education in cultural awareness, substance abuse prevention, parenting, nutrition, fitness and teen pregnancy.

Leadership and Human Capital Development – To build human capital by providing culturally based education, skills development and service opportunities that prepare youth to become community leaders that contribute to the well-being of their families and to the social, economic and civic life of the community. It is central to our mission to enlist and prepare a continuum of intergenerational leaders – including children, youth, adults and elders- across the various aspects of our work to build community and advance society. We deliberately recruit, train and employ community workers who have experienced and overcome the challenges faced by youth today.

Community Economic Development – To promote economic advancement and self-sufficiency through community-based land development, the acquisition and management of property and business assets, education, job preparedness, skills building, providing access to new computer technologies and the creation of barrio enterprise zones that support entrepreneurial ventures, family and micro-business.

Civic Participation and Community Mobilization – To mobilize institutional, public and private assets in order to achieve equity of opportunity, resource access, health and well-being in the civic and community life of our barrios. We believe that effecting and instituting real change requires multi-sector involvement and collaboration.

Cultural Arts and Recreational Activities – To provide a central communal space for spiritual ceremony, the arts (including exhibits, music, danza, poetry, literature, crafts and storytelling) and other forms of cultural expression. We take care to nurture cultural expression in the daily life of the organization and community through religious and political holidays, recreational activities, rights of passage celebrations, commemorations and other cultural celebrations as a form of social cohesion and community building.

Coalition Building – To provide organizing support to communities across the country that have established Barrios Unidos chapters guided by the values, principles, and core strategies of the movement. Barrios Unidos works within multi-racial coalitions and alliances that advance common ground issues and social change strategies pertaining to violence prevention, criminal and juvenile justice, public health, human immigration policy and educational reform.

Guiding Values and Principles
Cultural Identity and Tradition – We believe that the expression of cultural and spiritual traditions are central to the humanity, health, and well-being of people of Chicano, Latino, and indigenous decent. Our highest humanity and communal values flow from the understanding and practice of our traditions. Our culture is expressed through our hearts, minds, enterprise, ingenuity and community service through which we contribute to all facets and dimensions of American? society.

Organizational Integrity – We assimilate cultural consciousness, understanding and expression into all aspects of our core strategies, organizational endeavors and community life. The leadership, staff and volunteers share the responsibility to preserve the integrity of the organization and apply its guiding values across all aspects of our work.

Cultural Integrity and Respect – We believe that respecting the cultural integrity and dignity of people from all backgrounds is central to the well-being of our community and society as a whole. Practicing tolerance and respect for those who are different, respeto a lo ajeno, is central to our mission. We value inter-cultural exchange and mutual learning for societal benefit. We recognize the importance of and work towards development of a high level of cultural fluency amongst our leaders and within community, social, public and private institutions.

Justice and Community Peace – Central to our mission is achieving peaceful and healthy communities (i.e. social and economic well-being for all people) by advancing civil rights through solidarity, partnership, collaboration and coalition with other activists and social justice institutions.

Economic Self-reliance and Empowerment – We believe that community centered economics begin with regaining and maintaining the responsibility for stewardship of the land and its resources and living in balance and harmony with the earth. All of our economic development enterprises, including the attainment and management of our assets, are socially responsible, serving broad community benefit and promoting self-reliance through equitable access to quality education, training, labor market, and business opportunities.