The Kion Foundation is a faith-guided, community-centered nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals with acquired brain injuries and the family caregivers who walk beside them.
Strengthened by lived experience, Kion exists to ease the physical, emotional, and spiritual burdens families face throughout the long and often complex recovery journey.
Kion’s mission is to facilitate the recovery, renewal, and rehabilitation of people with acquired brain injuries, and to nurture compassionate, supportive partnerships with the family caregivers who walk alongside them.
KION’s vision is to establish centers across Canada that serve as trusted pillars of hope and support for people with acquired brain injuries and their caregivers.
The Kion Foundation was inspired by the story of Zachary Hoogerdyk, who got profoundly ill in March, 2024. He also suffered an anoxic brain injury due to cardiac arrest as well as the amputation of his right hand and both legs below the knee. Go to RunningforZach.ca to learn more about his story.
Kion is building thoughtfully and sustainably. We want the legacy of Zach’s story to inspire hope. We begin by listening to other’s stories—to patients, caregivers, volunteers, and communities—through focus groups and pilot initiatives. These insights guide every step of our growth, ensuring our services remain practical, responsive, and deeply rooted in lived experience. Our goal is not to replace existing services, but to bridge gaps, coordinate support, and strengthen what already exists.
As a growing organization, KION is intentionally starting small, launching focused pilot initiatives that respond to the most pressing needs identified by families. These early programs provide mentorship, system-navigation assistance, and caregiver support.
Looking ahead, KION plans to expand its offerings to include coordinated access to therapeutic services and learning opportunities for students entering rehabilitation fields. Over time, the Foundation aims to grow into a trusted national network of pillars that families can rely on at every stage of the brain-injury journey.
