Grace Liu, a senior at Iroquois Ridge High School in Oakville, Ontario, is making waves with her nonprofit organization, PTERYX Foundation. Recently, she gave a presentation to a group of students, sharing her mission to empower underrepresented youth by providing accessible peer support, connections, and mental health resources. Grace’s passion for supporting the well-being of Canadian youth is truly inspiring, especially considering her young age and the impact she has already made.
The PTERYX Foundation was born out of a personal tragedy for Grace. After the loss of a childhood friend to suicide, she realized the importance of providing support and resources to those struggling with mental health issues. This realization led her to found PTERYX with the mission to create a network where every young person has the support they need to thrive. Through initiatives like Peer Bridge, an AI-driven chatbot called PsychGPT, and a bullying report system, Grace and her team have been able to reach and positively impact over 3,700 students.
Despite the demands of being a high school student, Grace dedicates at least three hours a day to leading meetings, organizing community events, engaging with youth in need, and delivering speeches for the foundation. She has also built a team of over 230 high school and university students who share her passion for supporting underrepresented youth. Through collaborations with professors, professionals, and government officials, Grace has been able to expand the reach and impact of PTERYX.
In a recent direction for the foundation, Grace has integrated Indigenous culture into their work. Inspired by her conversations with Indigenous people on Manitoulin Island, Grace has launched a project called “Kiji” to refine Indigenous elements into intellectual property aimed at creating products that resonate with youth. By incorporating Indigenous culture and spirit into digital media content and a video game, Grace hopes to further uplift and inspire young people.
Looking ahead, Grace envisions PTERYX continuing to explore and promote the Indigenous roots of mindfulness while expanding their services and collaborations. She hopes to collaborate with renowned artists and major firms to spread the Indigenous spirit and revitalize Indigenous communities. Despite her young age, Grace is committed to dedicating herself fully to this work and using innovative interactions and technologies to support more people in need.
Grace Liu’s dedication to supporting underrepresented youth and promoting mental well-being is truly remarkable. Through her work with PTERYX Foundation, she is making a meaningful impact on the lives of Canadian youth and inspiring others to join her in creating a more supportive and inclusive society.
