Statement of Principles

Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts believes that our political system should meet the needs of all people. The government has a particular responsibility to protect and provide for those who are most vulnerable especially low-income people. Everyone, regardless of income, should have access to:

• A decent, affordable place to live
• A job that pays enough to support a family and/or access to education and training for such a job
• Quality, affordable child care
• A basic standard of Quality, affordable health care
• Quality education for their children
• A welfare system that provides a safety net for those who cannot or should not be required to work

Public officials should be held accountable to the needs of their constituencies. Our vision of economic justice and grassroots democracy is embedded in a larger vision of universal rights and opportunities. We believe that all people have equal right to all of the social benefits and economic opportunities of our society, regardless of:

• Income level
• Gender
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Culture
• Language
• Religious beliefs
• Marital Status
• Sexual orientation or identity
• Physical or mental disability
• Age
• Immigrant status
• Education level

Members and staff of Neighbor to Neighbor respect the identities of all people and do not discriminate. Neighbor to Neighbor does not let bigotry or prejudice interfere with our work, or with our positions on issues.