Our story
Why Foundation Forward began
Lasting change needs stronger foundations.
A purpose shaped by experience
Kara Noakes - Founder
Foundation Forward began with a simple idea: lasting change needs stronger foundations.
My own experiences, the experiences of people around me and what I have seen in our community shaped that idea. I am Indigenous, a parent and a survivor of domestic and family violence. Those experiences are at the heart of why I started Foundation Forward.
I wanted to turn those experiences into something that could help. That means creating practical tools for people seeking support, and for the people who give so much of themselves to support others.
Family, support and everyday work
Why Keystone matters to me
As a parent of children with different disability support needs, I have seen the difference support workers and allied health professionals can make. I have also seen how much work happens around every appointment and support session.
I see these professionals as playing vital roles in the wider community. The idea of a keystone species became a personal metaphor for that contribution: people whose work helps sustain the lives and connections around them.
I am concerned about paperwork spilling into unpaid time after hours and the pressure this can add to already demanding work. I believe practical, easier-to-use tools could help give some time back. That is what I want Keystone to help change.
Lived experience and hope
Why First Light matters to me
First Light grew from my own experience of domestic and family violence and the experiences of people around me. I know how difficult it can feel to explain what happened or know where to begin.
I want First Light to be grounded in dignity, choice and hope. My intention is to develop something that respects different experiences and helps people feel supported, without pressure to follow a particular path.
It is still a concept, guided by a commitment to trauma-informed design.
Connection and respect
Built from experience. Open to different voices.
Being Indigenous is part of who I am and why Foundation Forward matters to me. This work grows from my own experiences, my family and the community around me.
I bring that experience with respect for the many different cultures, voices and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. My story does not speak for everyone. I want stronger foundations for lasting change to mean something in people’s everyday lives.
Keystone and First Light come from different parts of that experience, but share the same purpose: practical support, greater choice and stronger communities.