OUR HISTORY
The Existence Project began on the assertion that personal narratives have the power to connect individuals across socioeconomic boundaries, and that the rich creative ability of our community is the most effective tool we can wield against the stigma that prevents necessary social change.
Starting in 2016 with homemade interviews of people living on the streets of Victoria, the project has evolved into creating accessible multi-media projects, capacity building initiatives for the unhoused, and intersectional community events that centre the voices of people with lived experience of homelessness, all with the broad goal of humanizing homelessness.
Everybody has a story, and we believe that story is the key towards building connection, dignity and belonging for everyone, no matter their race, background or socioeconomic status.
OUR VISION
We envision our communities as places where everyone feels at home. This means:
- Communities are Inclusive: Everyone feels safety, belonging, and dignity regardless of socio-economic status or housing situation.
- People are treated with Empathy and Respect: Communities prioritise empathy and deep listening, ensuring all members are heard and treated with respect and compassion.
- Decisions are Collaborative: The decisions of service providers and policy makers are informed by collaborative dialogue with people with lived experience of homelessness.
- Policy and Resource are Integrated: Homelessness is a key priority in policy decisions, with resources shared among organisations advocating for better solutions.
OUR VALUES
We are committed to building Community by embracing the strength of our shared experiences. Through Reciprocity, we build relationships grounded in mutual respect and support. Guided by Compassion, we uplift each individual with empathy, while ensuring Authenticity in our actions and words. We recognize that to do this work requires privileges that are not always afforded to our unhoused neighbours and we seek to create Equity by reducing barriers to equal participation in this work.
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.”
Maya Angelou, poet and civil rights activist