Connected for Success opens up a world of possibilities by helping bridge the digital divide
Alison Canning remembers the “lightbulb moment” from a conversation with a grade 12 student that shifted the direction of her Toronto-based non-profit organization Let’s Get Together.
“She told me she was doing homework on her phone as she didn’t have access to the internet or a computer at home,” says Canning, Executive Director, Let’s Get Together. “A phone simply wasn’t going to cut it as she pursued post-secondary scholarships and summer jobs, and certainly wouldn’t help her thrive at university or college.”
From that conversation, Let’s Get Together refocused its mission to helping close the technology and access to connectivity gap,launching a program to provide refurbished, donated computers to students in need. The organization also became a referring agency for Rogers low-cost high-speed internet program Connected for Success.
For thousands of young people living in community housing, bridging that digital divide is more critical than ever.
It’s why Andrew McKenzie, Director of Operations at the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA), is so committed to bringing programs like Connected for Success to its members who represent hundreds of non-profit housing providers.
“You don’t want to be that kid who needs to tap into the WIFI at the coffee shop to do homework, or who is skimming the neighbour’sinternet to finish an assignment,” says McKenzie. “That kid falls behind before they discover their true potential.”
Connected for Success is eligible for upwards of 750,000 Canadians anywhere Rogers offers internet service across Ontario, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland. The high-speed, low-cost internet program is available to qualifying customers receiving income support, disability benefits, the maximum childcare benefit, residents in rent-geared-income housing, or seniors receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement. The program also offers speed tiers to support the evolving connectivity needs of Canadians.
This connection is especially vital for Canada’s most vulnerable. For Robert Cahill, Executive Director of The Homestead Programin St. John’s, Newfoundland, ending homelessness starts with ensuring participants are treated with dignity and provided a safe space to connect to resources. This builds important life skills that foster independence.
“Connection is not a privilege, it’s a critical necessity,” says Cahill. “With Connected for Success, our participants have more control and self-determination over their lives. They are staying connected to family and friends, community resources and support services, while finding and keeping employment.”
From school to social services, sometimes it’s the human touch that matters most.
Access to affordable connectivity made a big difference for Mary Winchester, a legally blind senior on disability living in Mississauga, Ontario. Like so many Canadians who live alone, Winchester’s connection to others and the outside world during the COVID-19 pandemic was virtual.
“My aunt got together a family group chat online to keep everybody socializing and support a family member in treatment for cancer to keep her spirits up,” says Winchester. “It was the way everybody started to stay in touch but at the time, I couldn’t participate.”
When her sister in Vancouver told her about Rogers Connected for Success, Winchester could finally join those chats. She’s grateful for the kindness and support from the specialized CFS team who helped her sign up.
“With my impaired vision, the Rogers person helped by taking my application details by phone and even filled it in for me,” says Winchester. “Good customer service and the price is fantastic. It’s so helpful, because on a fixed income an extra $50, $75, or more goes along way.”
Kristen O’Hanley is the Prevention Coordinator at Fresh Start Services for Women in Saint John, New Brunswick, an organization that helps women in poverty develop important life skills by offering guidance in problem-solving and budgeting, helping them discover their potential through education, and advocacy. She notes that the internet connection itself is just one piece of what makesConnected for Success such a vital resource for Fresh Start’s clients.
“The Rogers team treats our clients with dignity and respect,” saysO’Hanley. “The low-cost internet program allows our clients to develop positive budgeting and payment habits to build their credit rating – which is big step forward. When children can see their parent taking control of their life, education, bills, and other responsibilities, that sends a powerful message.”
Working together with community partners like Fresh Start, The Homestead Project, ONPHA and Let’s Get Together – and directly with eligible customers like Winchester – Rogers is helping bridge the digital divide through local investment programs and affordable products and services, like Connected for Success.
