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 Safaya is a founder-director and nationally recognized youth leadership advocate with nearly three decades of experience mentoring youth through organizations such as the Steps Together Foundation and the Youth Leadership Society of BC, focusing on experiential learning in leadership, public speaking, and community service. He currently serves as a Director with the BC Association of Student Activity Advisors and holds advanced leadership credentials through the Canadian Student Leadership Association, where he also previously served as a Director, reflecting his ongoing impact in youth development at both provincial and national levels.

In addition to his youth leadership work, he is a self-employed international trade professional with over 40 years of experience, supported by Canada’s Trade Accelerator Program certification, an engineering background, an MBA, and recognition as a 2020 Community Champion by MP Ron McKinnon.

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.