MISSION STATEMENT

The Drop-In Children's Center provides a multicultural, child-centered environment dedicated to the empowerment of children and families.

The mission of DICC is to provide high quality, safe full-time, short-term and emergency child care to Tompkins County area children ages six weeks to five years.

This service is accessible to people from all economic situations and involves parents and other community members as volunteers to share in the care of the community's children.

VISION STATEMENT

Many children from low-income families, children of color and children of immigrants and legal aliens do not have access to quality child care. The Drop-In Center is committed to providing excellent quality care to a diverse cross-section of children, especially those who have not been served well up to now.

Prejudice is learned. When children are part of a diverse group, they learn that difference is a part of life, not threatening or strange. The Drop-In Center is committed to employing a diverse staff so that children are surrounded by a diverse group of qualified, loving adults and other children. Also, in this setting, children from many backgrounds will be able to identify with their caretakers as role-models.

When people from different cultural backgrounds try to live and work together, many misunderstandings can occur. It is important that children be exposed to a positive model of how to resolve differences. The Drop-In Cneter is committed to providing ongoing training and support for staff and Board members so that they can work out differences in a positive way and work together with respect.

Child care workers are professionals doing some of the most important work there is. They deserve at least a living wage. The Drop-In Center is committed to advocating in the community and beyond for fair wages for staff. The Board of Directors will set a goal for a more appropriate base-pay and work with the Director to develop an Action-Plan to achieve that goal.