Mission

Polaris Project is committed to combating human trafficking and modern-day slavery, and to strengthening the anti-trafficking movement through a comprehensive approach.

Values

The work of Polaris Project is grounded in a set of values and organizational beliefs that provide a common starting point for all programmatic activities.  All staff and volunteers strive to embody and model these values within the Polaris community and in the anti-trafficking field.

Service

Polaris Project has a culture of deep commitment and service to the mission of our agency, to the anti-trafficking movement, and to the people we serve.  An important component of the attitude of service is humility, a practice that is encouraged and valued in our programmatic work as well as in our organizational culture.
Efficiency and Impact

Given the massive scope and immediate urgency involved in the effort to fight human trafficking and modern-day slavery, Polaris Project understands the importance of considering efficiency and impact in all of our programmatic decisions.  Our strategic framework focuses on making the most of available resources and time to achieve the greatest positive systemic impact.  Polaris Project's programs are regularly evaluated and refined against these standards to help ensure that we are maximizing our limited resources for the best outcomes.
Strengths-Based Empowerment

Polaris Project uses a strengths-based empowerment model that helps identify, appreciate, and fully realize the strengths and aspirations of our clients, our staff and volunteers, our partner agencies, and all of our supporters.  The opportunities and trust we provide help to show people their own power to transform their lives and the lives of others as part of an overall movement towards positive social change.  We enjoy and actively foster a feeling of community among our clients, staff, and volunteers that enables a fuller appreciation of our universal human connections.
Diversity and Multiculturalism

We both embody and celebrate multiculturalism among our clients, staff, and members, and cultivate an environment of respect and openness to the diversity within our organization.  Polaris Project's team is comprised of individuals from a diverse array of cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences who all come together to serve our mission.
Non-violence

Polaris Project strives to encourage and practice non-violence to build a sustainable anti-trafficking movement, to protect against burn-out, and to foster an environment of support and appreciation.  Non-violent practices also encourage self-improvement as an organization, recognizing the need for growth and development as an organization and as individual advocates.
Innovation and Sophistication

Polaris Project values programmatic and strategic innovation in our work, recognizing that what is typical or traditional is not always optimal or the most effective.  We work to create innovative and thoughtful programs and approaches and strive to utilize experimentation of new ideas to pioneer fresh approaches and help move the anti-trafficking field towards higher levels of sophistication and impact.  Polaris Project embraces the complexity around the problem we combat, the solutions that are adopted, and the people and organizations involved.  We view ideological thinking as rigid and insensitive to reality and as ultimately damaging to assisting those in need.  We try to appreciate the viewpoints, insights, and lessons of people on all sides of debates, taking what is best to strengthen our ability to serve others most effectively.
Communication

Polaris Project works to practice open, honest, and caring communication both internally among our staff, clients, and donors, and also externally to the public through our organizational materials. We value transparency and appreciate the accountability it brings to our organization.