22/12/2025
TRUTH & CORRECTION SERIES – PART 45
Myth: “Shalom House refuses to admit mistakes or accept feedback.”
Fact: Shalom House listens, learns, and evolves.
We take feedback seriously, review concerns honestly, and continually improve our systems to serve people better.
Some critics and commentators have claimed that Shalom House “doesn’t listen,” “won’t accept feedback,” or “never admits when it gets things wrong.”
That claim is false, and it ignores more than a decade of continuous growth, change, and refinement built on listening and learning.
1. We welcome constructive feedback.
Shalom House invites feedback from residents, families, staff, community partners, and professionals. We have formal and informal processes for receiving input, through meetings, suggestion systems, follow ups, and leadership reviews. When someone raises a concern, we take it seriously.
2. The program has evolved through experience.
The Shalom model today is not the same as it was when we began. We’ve learned, adapted, and improved every system, from communication and safety to training and reintegration. Each adjustment has been driven by experience, feedback, and a desire to serve people better.
3. Residents have a voice.
Residents are encouraged to share their ideas, experiences, and observations. Many of the program’s strongest improvements have come directly from resident input, from safety systems to family engagement initiatives. Graduates often return to mentor others and continue shaping the culture of growth and accountability.
4. Mistakes are opportunities for improvement.
No organisation working with broken lives is perfect. We have made mistakes in the past, and we will make more in the future, but we own them, learn from them, and use them to strengthen the program. Accountability isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress.
5. We are accountable to external and internal oversight.
Our leadership team operates under governance structures, board reviews, and professional auditing. External agencies, including government departments and community partners, regularly engage with us, providing external feedback and perspective. This ensures we remain transparent and accountable at all levels.
6. We encourage open communication.
Families, advocates, and agencies can reach out to us at any time. We believe that honest dialogue builds trust, even when there’s disagreement. Shalom House has never closed its doors to a genuine conversation.
7. Why this myth exists.
Some people confuse confidence with arrogance. Because we stand firm in our convictions, critics assume we’re unteachable. The truth is, we’re constantly refining what we do, but we won’t compromise on the values that make the program effective.
So, to be clear:
• Shalom House accepts and values feedback.
• We own our mistakes and learn from them.
• Residents and families have a voice in shaping the program.
• And our systems are stronger today because of accountability.
We don’t claim to be perfect, we aim to be better every day. Real leadership isn’t about being right all the time; it’s about being humble enough to change when you’re wrong.
Shalom House, Leading the way in Australia in Holistic Rehabilitation, Reintegration & Re-Socialisation.
Your Thoughts…?
Peter Lyndon-James 🇦🇺
