Join the Movement: Empower Lives, End Homelessness!

Homelessness is a national crisis that is exploding at an alarming rate in and around Vancouver and the lower mainland. There is a higher number of seniors, youth and vulnerable people experiencing homelessness for the first time than ever before. HELP MAKE THE FUTURE STRONGER!

At Foundations for Social Change, we are a pioneering BC-based nonprofit making waves with innovative solutions to some of society’s toughest challenges, including homelessness, poverty, and inequality.

We’re shaking things up and proving that a little trust goes a long way. Our groundbreaking New Leaf Expansion Project (NLEP) is changing lives by putting direct cash in the hands of people experiencing homelessness and giving them wrap-around support— no strings attached. The first of its kind in North America to provide direct cash transfers to individuals experiencing homelessness. The result? People are using the money to secure housing, get training, find jobs, reconnect with loved ones and transform their futures.

Our program supports hundreds across the lower mainland to help lift themselves up. Mothers, children, youth and seniors that are living homeless, on couches, in cars and abandoned buildings. Evidence shows that once an individual lives unhoused for over 2 years, the chances of becoming entrenched in homelessness rises by 80%. Help us prevent this entrenchment with this unique and successful program.

Dezis’ Story

Past participant, Dezi, is a powerful example of how no strings attached support can transform lives. When Dezi joined NLEP in 2023, they were struggling with homelessness due to the increasingly inaccessible housing market. Thanks to the program and a lump-sum cash transfer, they were able to shift from a survival mindset focused on daily decisions of where to sleep and what to eat, to planning for the future and making long-term investments.

“When you don’t have support or savings, you think in terms of days or months. You can’t picture a future with stability or support— everything is unknown.”

This direct assistance allowed them to buy into co-op housing and finally secure stable and affordable housing for their family— something that would have been nearly impossible otherwise.

We’ve proven that when you trust people, they thrive.

Data from the New Leaf Pilot Project shows that, on average, cash recipients:

We are at a crucial stage in the evolution of this effective approach and need your support to move this innovative work forward. Your contribution will help us continue and expand, advocating for bold policy changes, and scale our programs to address homelessness and poverty at their roots.

Our campaign goal will enable individuals living homeless to join the New Leaf program. Each dollar will go directly to an individual struggling with homelessness. This includes the cost of the various support provided to each participant for the duration of their participation.

Every dollar empowers someone to rebuild their life and strengthens our mission to create a fairer, more compassionate world. This campaign will allow new participants to join the New Leaf Expansion Project, providing them with vital support throughout their participation.