TORONTO — With Canada now deep into the second wave of Covid-19, Rogers Communications today announced it is extending its services to organizations supporting vulnerable Canadians, with thousands of previously donated devices, voice and data plans extended by an additional six months.
During the first wave of the pandemic, Rogers helped to support vulnerable women and children, youth and LGBTQ2S+ communities through various partnerships with Women’s Shelters Canada, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, 360 Kids, Durham Children’s Aid Foundation, The 519, LGBT Youthline, Qmunity, GRIS Montreal and Pflag Canada.
With today’s announcement, organizations such as Women’s Shelters Canada, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and Pflag Canada are seeing those partnerships extended. Free voice and data plans have also been extended by six months for hospitals, community health centres, seniors’ homes and other organizations across the country that support vulnerable Canadians, says Rogers’ press release.
“Staying connected to friends and loved ones while isolated and being able to access resources is something many of us take for granted as we weather the pandemic,” said Brent Johnston, president of wireless at Rogers Communications, in the release. “We are proud to help enable connectivity for the many vulnerable Canadians who don’t have access to technology, at a time when they need it the most.”
“Women’s Shelters Canada is thrilled by the extension of phones and phone plans provided by Rogers to shelters across the country serving women and children fleeing violence,” said Lise Martin, executive director of Women’s Shelters Canada. “Our new Shelter Voices report shows that 82% of women’s shelters surveyed had to purchase new technology to support residents during the Covid-19 pandemic. This donation is needed and appreciated from coast to coast.”
Devices were also provided to youth organizations like 360 Kids that support homeless youth, Durham Children’s Aid Foundation, and in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada which enabled “Littles” to stay in regular contact with their “Bigs” and keep these mentoring relationships strong.
“Keeping kids connected to their mentors is critical to their mental health and sense of belonging during this difficult time,” added Shalomi Abraham, board chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. “This gift will help ensure that young people continue to have access to life-changing mentoring relationships, despite having to physically distance.”
“Last spring, Covid-19 forced Pflag Canada chapters to suspend face to face support activities at a time when many in the LGBTQ2S community faced increased anxiety and isolation,” said Ross Wicks, secretary of Pflag Canada. “Luckily, Fido and Rogers provided support which allowed our chapters to offer virtual peer support meetings. Pflag Canada welcomes the extension of this support as LGBTQ2S families continue to face uncertainty.”
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Photo of kids who received devices submitted by Rogers.
