Mission

The Anawim Companion Society, which serves our community through Anawim House, was founded on the following guiding beliefs and principles:

A. Poverty

Poverty is a condition of our shared humanity. Physical, emotional, spiritual and social poverty exists at all levels of human society. Often poverty is unacknowledged and remains unchallenged. Such poverty leaves one feeling empty, powerless, alienated and in despair.

B. Core Belief

Beyond the face of poverty, there exists a whole person worthy of dignity, equality and unconditional love who needs to be accepted and reunited to humanity. We believe absolutely in the value of each human being to creatively live out his or her life.

C. Rights

Every person has the right to self-determination, mutual participation and love. If for any reason an individual cannot participate wholly in society, that person retains the right to belong with respect in a safe, healthy and caring environment. Poverty and its effects do not give us the right to impose judgment or limitations upon the poor.

D. Responsibilities

We are guardians of one another and the responsibility to respond to human poverty belongs equally to us all. We confront poverty as a human condition that can be understood, alleviated and healed. The pain and suffering of poverty must be met with compassion, companionship, generous giving and social action if it is to be reduced or eliminated. Each of us has been granted remarkable gifts and blessings that must be shared for the benefit of all.

E. Action

Poverty and its effects can only be alleviated by healing the whole person. We are dedicated to overcoming poverty by becoming compassionate companions with the poor while providing for their needs. We offer friendship for friendship. Our commitment to fulfill this mission will reduce the powerlessness, suffering and alienation of poverty.