Our Values

Sustainability

To us, sustainability means more than recycling. It means refusing systems that extract, exploit, or burn people out. We design for endurance—of materials, relationships, and organizations—by building collaborative, caring structures that last. We’re not trying to do more with less. We’re trying to do better with integrity.

Creativity

We believe creativity is both a process and a birthright. It’s how we play, how we learn, and how we build systems that work better than the ones we inherited. At Heart of Cartm, creativity shows up in how we collage a mannequin, fix a toaster, rewrite a policy, or host a Repair Café. It is not the opposite of work—it is the work.

Belonging

We create spaces where people feel seen, not sorted. Belonging means showing up whole—messy, creative, curious, or tired—and knowing you’ll be welcomed anyway. Our work centers community care, mutual respect, and low-barrier participation, because circular systems only function when everyone has a place inside them.

Story

We honor the stories embedded in people, objects, and places. We believe that meaning is made—not found—and that story is the way we make sense of the material and emotional world. Our work is to help those stories be seen, heard, and held with care.

Our Commitment to Equity and Inclusion

At Heart of Cartm, equity means making sure those who are most often left out have a place at the table. We design our programs to lower barriers—social, cultural, and economic—so that belonging is real, not just a word.
However it looks in practice, our commitment remains constant: to welcome, respect, and include every member of our community.