About
Background
Established as a not-for-profit charity in 2015, the project is an incorporated association which is privately funded through individual and community support. SHIFT is governed by a strategically selected and highly skilled volunteer board of directors, who all share a motivation to make a positive difference in peoples lives.
The key objective of The SHIFT Project is to provide a supportive and stable environment where program participants can make their own personal SHIFT from disadvantage to empowerment.
“The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made, and the activity of making them, changes both the maker and the destination.” John Schaar, futurist
“Transformation takes courage and boldness”
About the Program
The program can accommodate five live-in positions. We also provide an outreach component that supports potential participants who live independently but are in need of assistance, as well as past graduates to access the education program.
The project aims to provide a sustainable education program, which is built around the organisation’s founding philosophy to develop wellbeing, interdependence and reciprocation. It is informed by current research in the areas of interpersonal neurobiology, somatic psychotherapy and the field of resilience.
Participants make the commitment to transform their lives, giving back in support of the next women entering the program and beginning their journey of self-empowered living.
The long-term vision of SHIFT is to build a community of inclusion, with the knowledge that everyone has something to offer to the wellbeing of society. It’s not only about the community supporting the participants of SHIFT, its about the individual women within the program ‘finding’ themselves, noticing their strengths and building a stable sustainable future for themselves and others.
ustainable
SHIFT provides a safe and sustainable environment for the women to reset their living circumstances. It aims to build networks and resources within the community and encourages past graduates to support the current participants.
olistic
We are a wellbeing project. Our focus is on the whole person: physical, emotional and mental. We facilitate education programs which aim to interrupt the limiting mindsets and behaviours often experienced in homelessness. The physical component of the project encourages healthy life choices, which in turn encourages a healthy attitude.
ntegrative
The project supports participants integrate new skills, mindsets and behaviours as they move toward wellbeing. It also helps them participate in the local community by volunteering in social enterprise projects. Forming reciprocal bonds with the community helps learn about the positive impact of their actions and the value of being an active community member.
ocused
Each participant has a tailored program with measurable goals and outcomes. Case management is provided for all participants ensuring their individual focus for the project is achieved.
ransition
Transitions are challenging. We provide a stable environment for participants to learn and understand the transitions in life and thereby navigate these times with more ease. By integrating with local community, we support their eventual transition into less-supported living conditions.
The SHIFT Project Byron, Inc. acknowledge the Arakwal People, of the Bundjalung nation, Traditional Custodians of these lands on which we work and we pay tribute and respect to the Elders both past and present.
Thank You to Arakwal representative Delta Kay who gave permission for SHIFT to work on country.
