Philosophy
The philosophy of self-determination, empowerment and spiritual/cultural affirmation has been at the core of our development of services and continues to permeate all aspects of the organization. This philosophy is based upon a strengths-based perspective articulated in several cultural and social justice concepts.
The concept of La cultura cura/Culture heals is grounded in the understanding that culture is a filter through which health and illness is defined and experienced.
Within all cultures, there are inherent resources (coping skills, resilience, healthy practices and teachings) that are essential in order to live and lead a balanced life. IFR has integrated culturally based approaches that promote healthy cultural identity development, community building, and appreciation for others as essential elements of intervention.
Tu eres mi otro Yo/We are one is an ancient indigenous teaching of the Americas that speaks to the profound connection and interdependence that we have to each other and all that is natural around us. Health is a community responsibility, and our actions or inactions affect our well-being. Finally, the agency embraces the concept of Si se puede/Yes we can inspired by the United Farmworkers movement as an expression of personal and collective struggle for social justice.
IFR seeks to minimize the barriers to clinical services while maximizing their effectiveness. Implicit in this approach is a respect for the psychological reality of the Chicano/Latino population. This encompasses the following general guiding principles:
- Clients shall be able to obtain services for their problems without having to overcome additional problems associated with the provider’s inability to communicate in Spanish or to understand the Raza culture in the United States.
- Clients shall be able to obtain services for their current psychological problems without being subjected to unsolicited or unconsented cultural imposition.
- Clients with special needs associated with recent immigrant status, culture shock, intercultural conflict and/or poverty shall be able to obtain help from persons skilled in dealing with these problems.
