Dandelion Initiative

Since 2016, our small grassroots non-profit has become one of the leading organizations for gender-based violence prevention and survivor supports. We prioritize the voices and needs of women, 2SLGBTQ+ survivors, racialized, and otherwise marginalized survivors through our work and services. We aim to amplify the voices of survivors and work throug... h and an intersectional feminist, evidence based and survivor-centric framework. We are governed and staffed by a diverse group of women and trans folks. The Dandelion Initiative is a federally incorporated non-profit, a grassroots intersectional feminist organization, by survivors for survivors. Founded in 2016 by our founder and Executive Director, Viktoria Belle, co-developed and led by a diverse group of women and trans folks to this day. We fundamentally believe in the power of education, empowerment based programming and survivor centric practices as a form of resistance to gender-based violence and rape culture. Our mission is to disseminate survivor-centred gender-based violence education, training, and policy development to multi-sectors and communities across Turtle Island. The proceeds from this work ensures our trauma care and support services for survivors of sexual/gender-based violence remain free or low cost at all times. As a small grassroots non-profit we also prioritize using our capacity building grant and small donations in a way that prioritizes hiring and centering women, 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC survivors and their families. Within 14 months we have been able to do the following with the donations and grant we hold: Provided Honorariums between $100-250 to over 20 racialized women and trans survivors to facilitate learning opportunities, healing work and art. Donated over $1,000 to Indigenous Organization like Feeding Canada, Toronto Urban Native Ministry and Individual Survivors Donated $1000 to Women and Childrens Shelters in Toronto like Redwood Family Shelter. We believe in a gender-equity lens to all policy and advocacy work within the ...Read More