VANCOUVER — Rogers is partnering with women’s shelters across British Columbia to provide phones with free voice and data plans to help vulnerable women during the Covid-19 health crisis, the company announced today.
Domestic abuse rates have reportedly increased during the pandemic, with at-risk communities including women and children facing the reality of being at home with an abusive family member, says the news release.
“With a deep commitment to serve the communities where we live and work, Rogers is committed to finding ways to help provide an essential digital lifeline and critical supports for British Columbians who need it the most,” said Rick Sellers, president of the B.C. Region for Rogers Communications, in the news release. “Whether calling emergency services, accessing support, or staying in touch with loved ones, the donations are aimed at helping vulnerable women with their immediate and crisis needs.”
Rogers is working with women’s shelters in Metro Vancouver, the Okanagan and on Vancouver Island to provide complimentary devices along with six months of free voice and data plans. The women’s shelters include the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, Atira Women’s Resource Society and Helping Spirit Lodge Society in Vancouver, Dixon House in Burnaby, Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society in Surrey, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, the Victoria Women’s Transition House Society in Victoria, and the Okanagan Nation Transition Emergency House in Penticton.
“With these devices, women are able to call family and friends, which for some might seem like an everyday event, but for marginalized women seeking refuge from pervasive violence, frequent abuse, and harsh conditions, having access to a phone is key for their sense of safety and belonging,” said Kate Gibson, acting executive director of the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre (pictured).
Rogers is also partnering with Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland to provide donations of devices and tablets with six months of free service to families and “littles” who need this critical connection, says the release. In addition, Fido is providing local Pflag Canada chapters with tablets and free wireless data to enable virtual peer-to-peer support meetings in support of the LGBTQ2S community. The tablets will be distributed to five Pflag Canada chapters in B.C., including Vancouver, Surrey, Abbotsford, Nanaimo and Penticton.
In addition, a new awareness video about Rogers’ partnership with Women’s Shelters Canada will be shown across Rogers Sports & Media properties. For more information about the ways Rogers is helping to support Canadians during this critical time, please click here.
