APDS believes we all need a place to belong; a place where we genuinely care about one another; where we treat each other with love, open communication, and support; where we share in decisions. APDS nurtures children, supports families, and strengthens society. The following statements are the guiding principles of APDS:

1. Values - Our character shows in our behavior that exhibits how we practice our values. APDS develops character by demonstrating and teaching the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. These values, derived from the Nguzo Saba (seven principles) embrace both spiritual and scientific concepts that form a blueprint for decision making and a moral and ethical foundation for life.

2. Family -The family is society’s primary unit for raising children, giving back to elders, and maintaining values. APDS supports people of all kinds in their efforts to be responsible parents concerned with the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of their children. APDS supplies a safe, wholesome environment in which grandparents, parents and children can learn to communicate, work, play and grow together.

3. Self-esteem - APDS builds self-esteem and nurtures a sense of accomplishment in those we serve. Self-esteem helps you to make the right choices, act out of strength instead of weakness, and treat yourself and others with respect. Appreciating your own worth can make the difference between dependency and self-reliance, failure and success.

4. Volunteerism - Volunteering is a demonstration of caring for others. You’ll find it at the core of APDS as demonstrated by our Council of Elders and Board of Trustees. APDS offers people a chance to get involved in community life by running programs, making policies, raising money and solving neighborhood problems. By giving their time to others, volunteers also give themselves a chance to learn, grow and have fun.

5. Health - Understanding our bodies and using them well is essential to good physical and mental health. Such awareness promotes lifestyles that help us resist illness, addictions and disease. Through community-based services and educational programs, APDS promotes good health for people of all ages, all abilities and all incomes. Good health lets us enjoy all the goodness of life.

6. Respect - APDS operates from an Africentric perspective that focuses on a close and strong relationship with our creator, our ancestors, our families, and community. It is demonstrated in the way we treat clients, members, people in general, and ourselves. It is through respect that self-concept is activated in a positive light.

7. Power - APDS believes, in order to reach our fullest potential, it is imperative that we operate from a perspective of “real” power and not powerlessness.

Mission:

To provide culturally-specific psychological treatment, social services and prevention programs for the African American community to improve the quality of life in Franklin County.

An Equal Opportunity Employer and Equal Provider of Services

 

About / CEO Corner / Board of Trustees / Staff /
Guiding Principles / Programs & Services / Classes
Contact Us

This site created by
Nehemiah Enterprises