As an organization, YNOT is guided by the following five principles:

1. ADVOCACY - We are committed to the fair and equitable treatment of our young people in the schools and community.
2. PURPOSEFULNESS - Honoring young people’s lives by finding solutions to their problems, especially those that are in conflict with the law.
3. DIVERSITY - We recognize and respect differences in all aspects of our program and services by continually demonstrating our commitment to diversity, irrespective of differences in our religious inclination, faith, race or gender.
4. RESPECT - We are caring people that reflect and appreciate the potentials, abilities, values, and opinions of our young people.
5. COLLABORATION - We strongly believe that it takes a community to raise a child. Our organization appreciates and recognizes the strengths and wisdom of our community members and agencies in supporting our youth. We encourage broad participation of our community stakeholders and spiritual leaders in identifying more opportunities to support our young people in reaching their lives dreams.