VANCOUVER – Telus announced an expansion of its Connecting For Good portfolio Wednesday that will see two of the initiatives launch in Manitoba and New Brunswick.
In its home province of British Columbia, the company pledged to boost its Internet and Mobility for Good programs to encompass an additional 25,000 families and youth.
Telus Internet for Good offers low cost, high-speed Internet to families with children currently receiving income or disability assistance from the provincial government. Eligible families in B.C. will receive a letter from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction with instructions on how to activate Telus’ offer of Internet 25 for $9.95 per month for two years. The program also includes access to a low-cost refurbished computers, and online safety training.
“Across our province, there are countless families and children in need of support,” said president and CEO Darren Entwistle, in the announcement. “To date, we have offered thousands of families across British Columbia access to low-cost, high speed Internet through Telus Internet for Good, and today we are proud to expand this program to more families receiving income and disability assistance through the Province, ensuring more kids have access to the Internet at home and to the same digital opportunities as their classmates.”
First launched in 2017, Telus Mobility for Good offers youth transitioning from foster care a free smartphone and fully subsidized plan for two years that includes unlimited nationwide talk and text and up to 3GB of monthly data usage. While Telus provides the service to youth for free, the bills appear in the youth’s name to help them build positive credit and gain the skills required to manage their finances in the future. At the end of the two-years, they will have access to a $35 per month plan for an unlimited duration.
“We are also expanding Mobility for Good, which began in partnership with the provincial government to provide kids aging out of foster care a free smartphone and plan,” continued Entwistle. “Now, in partnership with CAFC (Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada), we are extending this vital lifeline to more than 9,300 youth in British Columbia, better preparing them to begin their independent lives feeling safer, more connected and better prepared for a successful transition to independence.”
Telus added that the expansion of its Mobility for Good program has the potential to help 2,400 youth in Manitoba and 300 in New Brunswick to stay connected with friends, potential employers and peers, helping to prevent social isolation during a vulnerable stage of their lives as they transition to independent living.
Youth transitioning or who have already transitioned from care aged 18 to 26 can apply for the program through Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada by clicking here.
“Without the support of permanent families, youth transitioning out of care are on their own and a smartphone is critical to helping them achieve independence,” added CAFC president and CEO Valerie McMurtry. “We are working together with Telus to meet an urgent need for our most vulnerable young people that will enable them to search for somewhere to live, look for job opportunities and stay in touch with friends and vital support networks.”
