“Monica has an incredible way of zoning in on an organization's strengths and building from "where you are". As a smaller grassroots group, Monica's expertise has been invaluable to us. We are grateful for her insight, her efficiency, and her brilliant way of approaching Aura Freedom's strategic planning. But most of all, as an organization addressing violence against women, I'm so very grateful for her heart. I cannot recommend Shift and Build's services more.”
Marissa Kokkoros
Founder and Executive Director, Aura Freedom International
Overview of work
Aura Freedom is a small but mighty grass roots non-profit working to end gender-based violence through advocacy and education. With a team of 4, an award winning program to help prevent human traficking and recent funding to address gender based violence in the media, Aura Freedom was seeking support for a strategic plan.
Shift & Build was initially brought on to help Aura Freedom envision and plan for impact at scale enabled by integrated strategies for financial resilience. This work involved a landscape analysis, interviews with team members and a series of facilitated sessions that provided an opportunity to consider and assess possible pathways for impact and resilience.
Following this, Shift & Build was asked to support Aura Freedom in developing a sex trafficking education strategic plan for the Toronto District School Board. Shift & Build designed a needs assessment, led 5 focus groups with TDSB employee and student groups, synthesized findings and provided key recommendations to inform the education plan.
It has been heartening and rewarding to work with Marissa and the Aura Freedom team. I know this work will help Aura Freedom and all of us in the journey to eradicate gender-based violence.