The N.I.C.K. Foundation was initiated by three friends following the tragic loss of one of their sons Nicholas Buttifant. Nick was a much loved 20 year old musician who took his own life in February 2009. The idea was born from the desire to give parents and our youth hope and to instill belief in their future. Through presentations, the Foundation offers parents, their children and mentors the opportunity to hear and share stories from inspirational people. These stories and the messages within provide a platform for discussion and a toolkit to assist our youth and parents when faced with life’s challenges. The name and the logo for the Foundation represent the person that the Foundation was named after. Nick’s name became the acronym for the title of the Foundation; Nurturing, Independence, Commitment and Knowledge. The symbol of a phoenix conveys the idea of rising each time you fall, just as the phoenix rises from its ashes.