JOHN’S, CHARLOTTETOWN, HALIFAX, MONTREAL, REGINA and YELLOWKNIFE — Telus today announced it is expanding its Mobility for Good program across the country, including in Northern Canada, to provide youth leaving foster care with free smartphones and data plans for two years.
Starting today, in collaboration with Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada (CAFC), Telus’ Mobility for Good program is expanding to Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Northern Canada. In addition, in partnership with CAFC and youth centres of Quebec, the Mobility for Good program is being extended to more regions in Quebec.
Telus first launched the Mobility for Good program in British Columbia in 2017, followed by Ontario, Alberta and select regions in Quebec in 2018, and New Brunswick and Manitoba in 2019.
“The expansion of our Mobility for Good program… is reflective of Telus’ long-standing commitment to leveraging our world-leading technology to improve the social, educational and economic outcomes of our fellow Canadians. This is particularly critical as we collectively navigate the impacts of the global Covid-19 pandemic,” said Darren Entwistle, president and CEO, in the various press releases. “Our Telus team is pleased to extend this vital lifeline to more youth across the country, enabling them to begin their independent lives feeling safer, secure and more connected to the people, resources and opportunities that matter most to our future leaders and change-makers.”
Every year, thousands of youth age out of Canada’s child welfare system and are no longer eligible for the government support they received while in care. With more than 5,400 youth already enrolled nationwide, Telus Mobility for Good provides youth transitioning from foster care with a free smartphone and free Telus mobile rate plan, including unlimited nationwide talk and text and up to 3 gigabytes of monthly data usage.
“We are working together with Telus to provide our country’s most vulnerable young people with a lifeline that will enable them to search for a place to live, seek job opportunities, and stay in touch with friends and vital support networks,” said Valerie McMurtry, president and CEO of Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of connectivity, especially for our country’s most vulnerable populations,” said Tammy Roberts, executive director of Foster Family Coalition of the Northwest Territories, in the NWT news release. “For youth leaving foster care, a smartphone is critical to helping them achieve independence and we are thrilled to welcome the Telus Mobility for Good program into the province so even more youth can stay connected to what matters most to them.”
For more information about Telus Mobility for Good, please click here.
Screen cap borrowed from Darren Entwistle’s Instagram.
