The inspiration for Community Key came out of a series of life-changing events. Co-founder, Paul Bojakli, created the charity after spending five horrible days in the intensive care unit (ICU) after his daughter had a near-death experience during a swimming competition. 

 

During his time in the ICU, Paul witnessed many other worried families visiting their ill children, some of which had been in intensive care for months. It made him wonder, how did these families decide whether to return to work or to continue sacrificing financial stability to stand by their children? 

 

While his daughter was released and returned to swimming, Paul was determined to help those families still in the hospital. Paul, co-owner of Quantus Mortgage Solutions, a Calgary-based mortgage brokerage, presented the idea to the team of mortgage brokers of starting a charity. 

 

The entire team immediately supported the initiative. However, while the charity was in its early stages, another co-founding member, Patrizia Forigo, had a family emergency. 

 

Patrizia’s son had an accident that put him into a coma. Medical professionals thought that he might be hospitalized for the rest of his life. 
 

Pat spent every minute by her son’s side, meeting many other families with children in critical care. Luckily, Patrizia’s son recovered far beyond what was expected and was able to go back home after spending over three months in the hospital. 

 

However, the stories of other families in the hospital could not be forgotten. Within two months, $30,000 was donated by the Quantus brokers to start Community Key.