Tech, Science, and Community
Advocating for Inclusion in Science and Tech
The transition from military service to civilian life can be complex and challenging for veterans. With both visible and invisible wounds, doubt and uncertainty about the future are common. Cookie-cutter solutions don't fit every veteran's needs.
That's why our foundation was started by veterans, for veterans. We've been through these transitions ourselves and immersed in the support programs. Now we step up to redirect fellow veterans to new passions for science, technology, and community.
We brought the name "Lift and Shift" with us from our service. When leaders direct soldiers in combat, the terms lift fire and shift fire are used to defeat the bad guys around the world.
We want to direct that "fire," that passion, toward a new mission. We want to lift people up and shift them toward new passions in science and technology.
Programs that Served Our Mission and Community
The Lift And Shift Foundation was officially incorporated in 2017, and in 2018 received IRS approval as a 501c3 public charity. We started with a simple idea — help veterans.
That idea grew from a pilot program serving 12 veterans, into a mission that supports service members and their families while they transition to new lives.
We've been fortunate to work with some amazing people, and we're proud of the programs we created. Last year, for the first time, we added a new program for students regardless of their military affiliation.
This new internship program is a natural extension of our mission, and we're excited to see it grow. We're also excited to see our veteran programs grow.
Our Noteworthy Programs Include:
- Battle of the Bots: In 2019 we served nearly 200 people hosting quarterly in-person robot events for veterans and their families
- Battle of the Bots | Design Team: While quarantined during COVID our founder hosted a design team of 6 veterans in our Slack workspace
- Lift & Shift Learning Series: COVID transformed our learning series into dozens of Zoom workshops for hundreds of veterans nationwide ranging from video game coding to 3d printing
Our Volunteers
Get Involved in Giving Back
Make a difference by joining the Lift & Shift Community. Here's how you can help:
Volunteer as a Virtual Makerspace Mentor
Our new virtual makerspace portal needs volunteer mentors to guide students through DIY projects like robot coding, 3D modeling, and more. Share your knowledge and inspire the next generation of STEM talent.
Support Academic Research
We're expanding our research initiatives to better understand and improve recreational therapy outcomes through our public stress management resources and other projects. If you are an early career researcher interested in veteran health, disability studies, or recreational therapy, we welcome research collaborations.
Attend an Event
Meet our community in person! We host various workshops and social events throughout the year. Mark your calendar and join us at our next event.
Make a Donation
We rely on individual donations to fund our programs and research. Your contribution allows us to continue providing our Virtual Makerspace, monthly stress management tips, and empowering veterans through technology, science, and community. Donate online or contact us.
Share Our Story
Following us on social media, opening our emails, and sharing our updates helps spread awareness. You can be part of the movement towards more inclusive recreational therapy, STEM education, and stress management.
Meet The Team
Try not to be misled by Tom's new career path in engineering. There's a good reason behind our founder's motivation to support the troops. Engineering came along only after his departure from the US Army, ending 12 years of service with a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress. But make no mistake, this avid marathon runner and once well-decorated soldier with career fields in Civil Affairs and Chemical Reconnaissance, is our Captain America.
Jason is a Senior Support Engineer with a computer science background and over a dozen years in the security and fire industry. That background also includes service in the US Army as a Civil Affairs Sergeant, which lends well to working on special projects, especially those requiring a technical affinity. He brings passion and leadership to the team, with a track record of creating relationships and programs that enrich veterans' quality of life.
Evans, who self-identifies as an Army combat vet, is slightly more. He teaches, instructing both cadets as a ROTC instructor, and veterans and non-veterans alike as a software developer and NYC chapter leader of Operation Code. As an educator, in name and by passion, he is a well-suited connector to other veteran non-profits and programs who offer tech-based non-traditional schools, and able to redirect veterans toward new passions as a profession when the time comes.
The Fine Print
We never ask veterans to pay or donate. For some workshops we provide kits. (One free kit per veteran household) But you don't need to be a veteran to take advantage of our hospitality. We're an inclusive bunch. If you benefit from our work, we'd be honored to have your support. Consider making your purchases through the partners that support us. For our friendly, or popular supporters, you could even use your influence as a social media fundraiser. We have instructions.
