The North American Family Institute works to create a community in the interest of helping people. The organizations mission is to create community environments based upon principles of dignity and respect that help children, adults and families to grow and change in order to better their lives and the world around them. NAFI is a leading human services organization that works with numerous state and local agencies throughout the country in the delivery of human services programs. It also has gained a national reputation for pioneering interactive, inclusive trainings that have significantly impacted public and nonprofit service organizations. Originally called Northeastern Family Institute, it was founded in 1974 by Dr. Yitzhak Bakal. The agency grew out of a need to create alternative services for youth who were remanded to the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services state institutions as the result of unruly and delinquent behavior.