Our Mission
The Steps Together Foundation was founded in 2011 by the Safaya family of Coquitlam, BC, Canada.
Our mission is to:
Advance education by providing scholarships, bursaries, awards and other forms of financial assistance to students in need
Gift funds as needed to qualified students and organizations
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we realized that besides providing advance education among youth, there is tremendous need among vulnerable population for food security, health and mental fitness. Hence our purpose has expanded to include the following :
To relieve poverty by operating a soup kitchen for First Nations on reserves or urban, vulnerable population; individuals or families who are poor, of low income, or in need.
To relieve poverty by providing basic necessities of life, including food, clean water, clothing, essential supplies, care packages, and/or shelter to First Nations on reserves or urban, vulnerable population; individuals or families who are poor, of low income, or in need.
To advance education by providing equipment and supplies (such as desks, textbooks, computers, and notebooks) to First Nations on reserves or urban, vulnerable population; individuals or families who are poor, of low income, or in need.
We have extended a hand of friendship to all those communities we serve and promise to take steps together with them on the path of good health and fitness.
Our Team
Each member of the foundation values higher education and the role it plays in achieving personal growth. This philosophy has been followed by all three generations of the Safaya family, hence the Foundation pledges to take steps together with youth who have demonstrated a passion for education, a desire for self-improvement, and commitment to community service.
Steps Together Foundation is an active partner of Youth Leadership Society of BC, also founded by Safaya family, for the youth programs it offers to youth K-12.
Ravinder Safaya - Director
Ravinder has over 30 years of international trade experience in the pulp and paper industry and currently operates his own business. He has an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering and a masters in Business Administration. He is an active community volunteer with Duke of Edinburgh's Awards and youth groups and also a director of Canadian Student Leadership Association. He has also volunteered with Scouts Canada
Achla Safaya - Director
Achla is an early childhood educator and she holds a doctorate in Zoology. She is an active community volunteer.
Manasi Shukla - Director
Manasi has over 14 years of experience in customer education and training within the medical device industry. She has an undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering from Cornell University.
Karn Safaya - Director
Karn is a resident doctor at a Children’s Hospital (CHEO) in Ottawa, Canada. He is a recipient of the Gold Level Duke of Edinburgh Award, Queen's Venturer Award, and the Chief Scout's Award.