A new service in the area will provide support, respite, and companionship services for individuals and caregivers.
The Iris Project founder Nicole Helmus says she felt it was necessary to create a service that would help to bridge the gaps in available support with structure, empathy, and dignity to ensure no one is left without access to supports.
“I created The Iris Project because I have watched too many people reach out for help at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives and be told there was nothing available for them,” explains Helmus.
“Not because they didn’t need support, but because they didn’t fit into a program, a contract, or a funding category. Over time, that becomes heartbreaking.
“Iris was created so people wouldn’t have to hear ‘we can’t help you’ when what they really need is someone to walk beside them, even for a short while.”
Helmus says The Iris Project Inc. is a private, non-medical support service based in Northern Alberta.
“We provide flexible, practical, person-centred assistance across the lifespan (children, youth, adults, seniors), helping individuals remain connected, safe, and supported in their daily lives and communities,” she explains.
“Our focus is on bridging gaps between informal help and formal systems, with an emphasis on dignity, choice, and human connection when traditional services don’t quite fit.”
Services provided include companionship, community outings, transportation, assistance with daily activities, social engagement, and individualized support based on a person’s needs. Services are flexible and can be short-term, ongoing, or situational.
“We build services around the person, not a template, and support can range from a few hours a week to more ongoing assistance, depending on the need,” Helmus says.
“Life doesn’t always align with program hours or eligibility rules. People may be waiting for placement, transitioning between services, caring for a loved one while working full-time, or simply needing reliable support for a few hours a week. These needs are very real, and without proper support, stress, burnout, and isolation increase quickly.”
Helmus says The Iris Project has two operational teams at this time, one based in High Prairie that services Big Lake County and Smoky River Region and one that is based in Slave Lake that takes care of the Lesser Slave Lake Region.
She adds her team is actively building two additional teams to serve Peace River and the surrounding area, as well as Grande Prairie and the surrounding area.
“Each region is supported by a local service coordinator who understands the community, available resources, and the realities families are facing,” Helmus says.
“This ensures support is coordinated, consistent, and personal, not one-size-fits-all. Whenever possible, support is provided by carefully screened and trained support workers who live in the same community, helping ensure familiarity, trust, and continuity of care.”
Helmus says caregivers often put their own needs last, they are carrying emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion without a break.
“Our services provide trusted relief, knowing their loved one is supported, safe, and genuinely cared for,” she adds.
“That peace of mind allows caregivers to rest, work, attend appointments, or simply take a moment for themselves without guilt.”
Helmus says she saw the need for additional support in the northern rural communities that she says face unique challenges, including long travel distances, fewer service options, and limited staffing resources.
“Local, flexible support helps people stay connected to their communities instead of feeling isolated or forced into decisions before they’re ready,” she notes.
“These regions deserve services that understand their realities.”
Helmus urges anyone to reach out who feels stuck between not enough help and too much system.
“Families, individuals, caregivers, or professionals who see a gap and don’t know where to turn are encouraged to reach out,” she says.
“If someone is asking, ‘There must be another option,’ that’s usually where Iris fits.”
Helmus says The Iris Project was built on the belief that support should be human, flexible, and respectful.
“Our goal is not to replace existing systems, but to complement them, offering practical solutions during the moments when people need help the most,” she says.
“Simply put, we want to make sure fewer people feel alone when life becomes complicated.”
If you would like additional information about The Iris Project, please visit the website at www.irisproject.ca, email Nicole at Nicole.helmus @irisproject.ca, or phone (780) 837-5998.
“We focus on listening first and understanding the situation before exploring whether our services are the right fit,” Helmus concludes.
“When someone reaches out, they are connected with a local service coordinator who takes the time to understand their situation and discuss appropriate support options within our services.
Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter