Community Teamwork, Inc.
17 Kirk St.
Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 459-0551


SHIFT Coalition

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What is SHIFT?
SHIFT is an acronym for Stabilized Housing for Individuals and Families in Transition. It began in the summer of 2003 when a small group of area providers began to collaborate on ways to address homelessness in Greater Lowell. Out of that small group emerged the SHIFT Coalition, a partnership of over 30 members who are committed to ending homelessness. For more information about ending homelessness, you may read "Strategies for Preventing Homelessness," a report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or download the Executive Summary.

Resources

Lowell's 10-year plan to prevent homelessness.

HousingWorks.net

MassResources.org

MVHub.org

Homelessness Counts: A Report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

An Article from the San Francisco Chronicle

Boston Globe Editorial

Interagency Council on Homelessness

HUD Report entitled Strategies for Preventing Homelessness

SHIFT One-Year Annual Report

Member Agencies and Other Organizations



Senator Steve Panagiotakos and City Manager Bernie Lynch at the SHIFT Coalition Legislative Breakfast Sue Beaton is awarded the SHIFT Coalition's Housing First Award.

Above Left: State Senator Steve Panagiotakos and Lowell City Manager Bernie Lynch converse over a cup of coffee at the SHIFT Coalition Legislative Breakfast.
Above Right: Sue Beaton of the Paul & Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation and the Massachusetts Commission to End Homelessness addresses the crowd at the SHIFT Coalition Legislative Breakfast. Sue was the recipient of the Coalition's Housing First Award fro her tireless advocacy and her efforts to create new and innovative approaches to ending homelessness in the Commonwealth.


Case Study: SHIFT CASE #47
Brian is a single man who had stable owrk for over 18 years. After being laid off from his job due to a slow down in the amount of work the company was getting, Brian applied for unemplyment. Once receiving unemployment, Brian's income would be over $1,000 per month. However, while waiting to receive his first unemployment check, Brian fell behind on his weekly rent for his room in a rooming house. (More.....)

What does SHIFT do?
The Coalition is seeing a disturbing trend of individuals and families who are "falling through the cracks." These are the people who may not be eligible for government programs due to lack of income or simply because they do not meet specific eligibility criteria, but are faced with the prospect of losing their housing. Some are being forced to access costly emergency shelter. These are the folks who turn to the SHIFT Coalition for help. The mission of the SHIFT Coalition is to help prevent or end homelessness for individuals and families by stabilizing their housing situation. Please view our Annual Report or our SHIFT Brochure for more information about SHIFT.

The goals and objectives of the Coalition are as follows:

  • Goal 1: Creating a Community Network
    Objective 1: Raise awareness through the website, meetings and list serve
    Objective 2: Establish and implement Early-Warning System
    Objective 3: Formalize linkages with Coalition partners via Memo’s of Understanding
    Objective 4: Create database and collect data on clients to monitor progress
    Objective 5:Maintain and increase community involvement on Case Review Committe
  • Goal 2: Resource Raising
    Objective 1: Establish a consistent pool of resources for client use
    Objective 2: Raise resources necessary to secure Coalition staffing in year 3 and 4
  • Goal 3: Community Action
    Objective 1: Create awareness among city councilors and managers
    Objective 2: Help city develop their 10-year plan to end homelessness
    Objective 3: Organize support for Housing First legislation
For more information about the SHIFT Coalition, contact Brent Rourke , SHIFT Coalition Coordinator at (978) 459-0551, Ext. 5618. Clients in need of services should contact CTI’s Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) at (978) 459-0551.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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