The

breakthrough

effect

How helpers community fosters life-changing results for years to come

At Helpers, we don’t just fund programs—we strategically invest in a better future. We enable bold ideas early, help shape promising solutions as they become real, and stay connected as they grow and thrive. Read below to hear about some of our greatest breakthroughs.

Read about these featured stories →

Common Roots Farm

Creativity Explored

Kainos

Helpers Artisan Boutique

Common Roots Farm

Breaking Down Barriers to Inclusion

When Helpers first partnered with Common Roots Farm in 2020, the challenge was clear: the land itself was a barrier. Winter rains transformed the soil into mud, making it nearly impossible for people using wheelchairs or mobility devices to participate in farm life.

“We almost called it Boot-Sucking Farm,” Farm Manager Nina recalled. “You can imagine what it was like out here in the wet season—just trying to get from one work area to another. It was really important to us to have our folks easily get around everywhere.”

At Common Roots, the vision has always been an inclusive farm where people of all abilities can work, connect, and thrive. But to get there, the team needed more than vision—they needed infrastructure. Traditional funders often overlook that. Helpers didn’t.

Today, the farm is not only accessible—it’s thriving. The pathways have withstood multiple severe winters in 2022 and 2023, proving not just functional but resilient. A new barn, slated for completion this year, marks another milestone—providing space for learning, gathering, and shelter. And through it all, the kitchen and pathways have become vital hubs, not just for movement, but for connection.

For some, the transformation has been especially personal. Janie Whiteford, the Board Chair of Common Roots Farm and a wheelchair user, had long been unable to fully engage in the farm’s daily life. “The Trugrid pathway has been both exciting and comforting. Knowing we can get anywhere on the Farm, participate in all the Farm activities and effectively volunteer in many different tasks is truly amazing.”

Executive Director Heidi put it simply:

“Helpers took a chance when others wouldn’t. They saw that if we couldn’t get people to the work, we couldn’t do the work. Now, we have a farm that reflects our values—not just in words, but in every step along the path.”

Creativity Explored

A spark of
innovation

For ceramic artist Ricardo, working with clay was a way to express what words could not.

But for years, Creativity Explored’s kiln was unreliable. “When I saw the kiln literally disintegrating, I was shocked,” Ceramics instructor Harley recalled. “It struggled to reach the right temperature, so we would have to wait to run big batches. Because of that, pieces would take months to fire, and even then, you never knew if they’d come out right.” Harley adds, “We have world-class artists — why shouldn’t they have world-class equipment?”

Funding for large equipment is notoriously difficult to secure, but we stepped in.

Linda, Executive director

“Helpers is different. They don’t just fund projects—they show up, listen, and truly understand the challenges we face.”

Kainos

A Renewed Foundation for Independence

At Kainos’ La Vista, home is more than just a place to live—it’s a foundation for independence, dignity, and belonging. However, that foundation was beginning to crumble—literally.

With a 40-year-old roof at the end of its lifespan and a retaining wall that had deteriorated beyond repair, La Vista faced a critical turning point. This threatened the safety of the home as well as the stability and well-being of the residents who have built their lives there.

Yet securing funding for a failing roof and a crumbling wall is challenging. “Most funders readily support programs with visible outcomes. But infrastructure? That’s harder. It takes a funder like Helpers to recognize that without a strong foundation — programs can’t thrive.

That’s what made Helpers different. They didn’t just see a house in need of repairs, they saw a home that needed protecting.” Executive Director Andy shared.

Andy, Executive Director

“Every single day, our residents benefit from these enhancements. The new roof provided the security they need, and the retaining wall transformed our backyard into a gathering space. Without Helpers, we might have lost that space forever.”

Helpers Artisan Boutique

Expanding Opportunity, Expanding
Reach

For more than 40 artists with developmental disabilities, Helpers Artisan Boutique is both a marketplace for amazing art and a bridge—a bridge between talent and opportunity, art and recognition, creativity and community.

In 2024, the boutique expanded its reach like never before, increasing the number of pop-up events at art fairs and conferences across the Bay Area.

And the momentum isn’t slowing down. In 2025, the boutique will expand pop-ups by another 20%—reaching over 1,000 new customers at events and through its Union Street store.

“And when people come to a pop-up or the boutique, they’re not just buying because of the mission,” added the mother of another artist. “They’re buying because the work is truly beautiful.”

“I’ve never known another place like Helpers. They give artists like me a real chance—to be seen, to sell, to be valued as an artist, not just someone with a disability.”