Our Mission & Values
Our Mission & Values
Compassion. Connection. Collaboration. Action.
Stratford Cares is built on a simple belief: when neighbours, businesses, community organizations and local leaders come together, we can strengthen our community and create meaningful change.
Our work is guided by compassion, dignity, inclusion and a commitment to identifying needs, strengthening connections and turning ideas into action.
Our Purpose
Our Mission
The mission of Stratford Cares is to bring neighbours, businesses, community organizations and local leaders together to identify gaps, strengthen community connections and turn compassion into meaningful action.
We work to support people facing barriers, hardship, housing instability, food insecurity, isolation and other challenges by connecting people with resources, supporting grassroots initiatives, building collaborative partnerships and developing practical solutions where gaps exist.
Through fundraising, volunteerism, community education, advocacy, partnerships and innovative initiatives, Stratford Cares strives to strengthen—not duplicate—the work already being done in our community while helping address needs that may otherwise fall between the cracks.
At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to dignity, inclusion, kindness, accountability, collaboration and respect.
We believe lasting community change happens when neighbours care for neighbours and people from across Stratford come together to listen, connect and act.
What Guides Us
Our Guiding Values
Kindness
We lead with compassion and humanity.
Dignity
Every person deserves to be treated with respect.
Inclusion
Everyone should have the opportunity to feel safe, welcomed, valued and connected.
Collaboration
Strong communities are built when people and organizations work together.
Accountability
We believe in responsible, transparent and thoughtful community action.
Action
We believe compassion is most powerful when it leads to meaningful change.
Partnership Focused
Working Together in Our Community
Stratford Cares believes meaningful and lasting community change happens when people and organizations work together.
We seek to build respectful, collaborative relationships with community organizations, agencies, businesses, local leaders and residents while recognizing and respecting the important work already taking place throughout Stratford.
Our goal is to strengthen—not duplicate—existing services and initiatives, identify gaps, improve connections and explore opportunities where working together can create greater community impact.
We also recognize that collaboration does not require every organization to have the same mandate, priorities or perspective. Strong partnerships are built through open communication, mutual respect, clearly defined roles and a shared commitment to the people and community we serve.
When we identify a need that falls between existing services, Stratford Cares seeks to bring people together, explore practical solutions and help turn ideas into meaningful action.
