S.H.I.F.T Alliston is on the move

S.H.I.F.T. (Support and Hope for Individuals and Families Today) has announced that as of September 1, 2023, they will be moving to a year-round shelter model.

S.H.I.F.T. provides lifesaving supports to youth, adults and families experiencing or at-risk of homelessness and food insecurity, including shelter, drop-in, outreach, housing, and social service-related supports, and is the only service of its kind serving the area of South Simcoe.

In a press release, S.H.I.F.T. officials said the year-round shelter will be able to accommodate up to 10 individuals experiencing homelessness, in South Simcoe. Those who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness are currently, and will continue to be, supported by the S.H.I.F.T Street & Community Outreach team that services all of South Simcoe.

“It was vital that we move our shelter and drop-in programming to year-round operations,” said S.H.I.F.T. Executive Director, Jenifer Pergentile. “Other shelters, in other communities, must prioritize services for those who have lived, or are living, in their communities and, unfortunately, often have to turn people away.”

S.H.I.F.T. has provided six seasons of winter-based shelter operations. Over time, it has become increasingly imperative that these programs move to a year-round model to best support the needs of those experiencing homelessness in South Simcoe, particularly as S.H.I.F.T. is the only shelter in the South Simcoe area. “We are pleased that there will finally be a place for people to sleep during the warmer months because homelessness does not end with winter, it’s not a seasonal issue,” says Pergentile.

Moving forward, the County of Simcoe has initiated a service contract to support the year-round emergency shelter program, as the population of those experiencing homelessness, county-wide, has significantly increased over the years and continues to grow.

“While we know that affordable housing is the key, we know that affordable housing, or the lack there of, is an on-going issue and in the meantime, being able to provide shelter to those experiencing homelessness while assisting them to find and move into safe sustainable housing is something we are proud to be able to provide year-round”, said Pergentile.

“Community support is truly welcomed, and needed, as our numbers continue to grow,” says Candace Gordon, S.H.I.F.T. Donor Relations and Stewardship Officer. “Community fundraising will be required to help ensure operations continue year-round and no donation is too small. We have such a strong community full of very caring and generous people, and that gives us hope.”

You can help by donating online or even by starting a fundraiser on behalf of S.H.I.F.T. Learn more by visiting the website at https://www.shiftforgood.ca/ways-to-give.

For more information, please visit www.shiftforgood.ca

S.H.I.F.T in Alliston now has a fresh new look! S.H.I.F.T in Alliston was selected as one of FOUR non-profit charities across Canada to receive a philanthropic donation towards the Daytime Drop-in Program and a brightening of its space as part of BEHR’s Mood-Boosting Makeovers in honour of their 75th anniversary. On September 20th, BEHR representatives from across Canada visited the new location at 123 Victoria St. W., Alliston to give the space a “Mood-Boosting Makeover.”

S.H.I.F.T. would also like to invite the community to join them at their upcoming open house taking place August 12, 2023, from 10-4pm at 123 Victoria St. W, Alliston where there will also be a dunk tank, at their booth, on-site. Don’t miss a chance to have some fun!