REGINA – For most, the holiday season is a happy time of year, but for those living under the threat of domestic violence it can be one of the most stressful.
The threat of domestic violence still looms too large in Canada and for those who are able to break free from the cycle and get help, it can be a daunting task to pick up the pieces and get their life moving in a healthy and happy direction again.
In its eleventh year of operation, SaskTel’s Phones for a Fresh Start program provides free access to cellular services for those fleeing domestic violence, through one of 22 Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) associated transition house or shelter.
“A cellphone is more than an entertainment device or portal to the internet; it’s a critical communications tool that many of us seem to take for granted these days,” said, Doug Burnett, SaskTel president and CEO in the press release. “But, for someone fleeing with little, or who has never been allowed control of their own communications devices, these services can be critical to helping them recover their confidence and take back control over their lives.”
To fund the program, SaskTel takes donations of unwanted cellular devices, batteries and accessories and recycles them through an external recycling company. The proceeds from the recycling are returned to SaskTel where they are used to purchase new cellphones and prepaid phonecards for donation to PATHS.
Since its inception in 2009, Phones for a Fresh Start has recycled close to 120,000 cellular phones and accessories, allowing SaskTel to donate $89,000 of pre-paid phone cards and over 3,500 new cellphones to PATHS associated transition houses and shelters.
Donating to Phones for a Fresh Start is simple. Cellphones, their batteries and accessories can be donated at the Phones for a Fresh Start drop off bin located at all SaskTel Stores or at an authorized dealer.
Alternatively, for those who may not have an older device available to donate but still wish to help support of victims of domestic violence, you can make financial donations directly to PATHS by visiting their donation information page.
