THE 9 MOST COMMON USES FOR OUR PHONES:
COVID-19 VIRTUAL SERVICES
CRITICAL 911 EMERGENCY SERVICES
24/7 CRISIS AND SUICIDE HOTLINE SUPPORT
HEALTHCARE AND ACCESS TO MEDICAL SERVICES
ACCESS TO MORE THAN 21 SHELTERS ACROSS VANCOUVER
ADDICTIONS SUPPORT AND OTHER SERVICES
COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND SUPPORT NETWORKS
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND A VITAL CONTACT NUMBER FOR JOB INTERVIEWS
ACCESS TO THE INTERNET, INCLUDING IMPORTANT SERVICES LIKE EMAIL
CANADIANS DESERVE A RIGHT TO BASIC SAFETY AND SECURITY.
A smartphone has functions that can prove immensely useful to an at-risk individual. It provides ready access to emergency and support services that are crucial to an at-risk person’s survival. These can include crisis and suicide hotline support services, 9-1-1 and communication with local shelters, all of which are facilitated most effectively through mobile communication.
HOW IT WORKS:
STEP ONE:
We begin by working with our community partners to find individuals who may need our services. Though we’d love to help everyone in need of a smartphone, we only work with clients through our partner organizations at the present.
STEP TWO:
After collaborating with our community partners, we meet with each potential candidate and conduct an interview. The aim of the interview process is to understand how a particular candidate may benefit from our services. We also want to better understand them on a personal level. After we’ve selected our users, we use some of their stories to create the personal profiles that you see on our website.
STEP THREE:
We meet with our users after approving their applications and then fund their first three months. At that time, we also provide them with a smartphone from our inventory. If the individual is inexperienced with the technology in their new smartphone, our team run optional training seminars that improve digital literacy. We then continue to try and help pay for at least 1 year of each user’s cellphone bill and follow-up with them to measure the impact of our services.
WE WANT TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBILITY AND EMPOWERMENT.
Smartphones open access to a multitude of valuable resources and services that would be otherwise inaccessible to many of our users. From communication with employers and family, to internet access and email, these resources provide an invaluable support network that helps enable personal growth and development.
