Our Story and Impact
Helix was founded in 2020 with the vision of contributing to a deeper understanding of youth resilience through research, advocacy, programming, and public dialogue. As the COVID-19 pandemic intensified, young people transitioning out of the care system were met with impossible choices: remain in unstable or unsupportive foster care situations, or ‘age out’ into a world dramatically altered by crisis. While many organizations mobilized quickly to provide support, significant gaps persisted.
In response to these gaps, we founded the Helix Foundation—an initiative grounded in research, collaboration, and a commitment to trust-based support with youth and partner organizations. Over time, Helix evolved from a small grassroots effort into a registered charity in 2023—a milestone that has enabled us to formally begin our grant making journey and expand our reach. Over that time, we have worked to elevate the voices of young people and to advance innovative solutions that build and foster resiliency at the individual and system levels.
A Snapshot of Our First Five Years
Over the past five years, we are proud to have:
- Transitioned to a registered charity (2023), unlocking new opportunities for impact
- Through grants, supported multiple local, youth-focused organizations through a fully trust-based model
- Hired a summer student, providing meaningful early-career experience in the nonprofit sector
- Formed a Youth Advisory Team composed of individuals with lived experience of structural vulnerability
- Launched a youth-led advocacy project, amplifying voices and driving awareness around key systemic issues
- Joined Philanthropic Foundations Canada (PFC), expanding our network and learning opportunities
- Engaged in strategic convenings and collaborations with other funders and sector leaders
- Delivered research presentations to inform policy and practice
- Strengthened our communications and outreach, enhancing our ability to connect, share, and influence
Looking Ahead
As we embark on our next five-year chapter, we are energized by the momentum we’ve built and the lessons we’ve learned. Our priorities for the future include:
- Growing our granting program to reach more youth-serving organizations
- Deepening our partnerships with youth and communities with lived experience
- Expanding our research and advocacy work to drive systemic change
- Investing in organizational sustainability and innovation
Together, with our partners and supporters, we remain committed to reimagining what support can look like for children and young people in times of transition—one relationship, one insight, and one opportunity at a time.
