To transform the lives of nonspeaking people through access to spelled communication methods, so they may finally take their rightful place in the human story.
Inspired by her daughter Evoni, a nonspeaking teen who communicates through spelling, Maria Galifianakis founded Helios Rising with husband Chris Croke and their son Jack as a family-led grassroots movement. Our founding board, powered by nonspeakers and their families, work to advance accessible communication across the nation through advocacy and outreach, pathways to greater accessibility, and programs that foster collaboration within communities.
As our loved ones give voice to all they have carried silently, they reveal the weight of their struggle and the deep harm caused by society’s misconceptions. Their words demand action—communication is not a privilege, it is a fundamental human right. We stand beside them, deeply humbled by their courage, and committed to the fight for justice and true empowerment through communication access.
For too long, we have misunderstood what nonspeaking people endure and underestimated what they can achieve. Now that reliable communication is possible, we rise together to dismantle man-made barriers—cost, bias, and institutional resistance—to transform silence into connection and opening the way to a future rich with possibility for every nonspeaking person.
- Nonspeaker Leadership
- Strategic Partnerships
- Community Advocacy
- Family Mentorship
- Resource Development
- Community Education & Awareness
- Direct Funding Support
- Training Cost Relief
- Access Expansion
In Greek mythology, Helios, the radiant sun god, rode his chariot across the sky each day to illuminate the world, igniting new beginnings and ushering in renewal.
Have a question or want to get involved?
We’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re looking to support our mission, learn more about our work, or simply say hello—reach out and we’ll be in touch soon.
