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We’re working with The Kettle Society to bring smartphones, monthly plans, and digital literacy training to 3 individuals in need.
This is their story.
“As a young woman in a major urban city, I found it hard to gain a sense of security, especially given my unstable housing conditions. I spent most of my time trying to find employment by using library computers, but my efforts began to feel useless after errors in communication caused me to miss multiple job opportunities.”
JULY 2016 - JUNE 2017
Connect Youth focused on putting phones in the hands of Vancouver's high-risk youth and young adults. Through our specialized campaign with the help of Covenant House Vancouver, we helped some of the city’s most vulnerable and overlooked people.
MEET JENNIFER
I grew up in Montreal, but moved to Vancouver two years ago in search of a new outlook on life. Unfortunately, I came unprepared and was inexperienced in living on my own. I was homeless for eight months and because of the lack of shelters in this city I was often left on the streets night after night. As a young woman in a major urban city, I found it hard to gain a sense of security, especially given my precarious housing conditions.
MEET DAVID
I hitchhiked from Ontario to Vancouver about a year ago, primarily because of my home life. With the absence of a father, I never felt that my life had any guidance. I've thought a lot about what drove my decision to leave, and I think that the motivation behind it may have been the opportunity to better understand myself and what I want to do with my life.
Meet Mark
I moved away from my home when I was 19, primarily away from both of my parents who were struggling with an alcohol disorder. I lived in Winnipeg for a few years and fell through the cracks, unable to handle the change of environment. It was difficult, my lifestyle made me reliant on alcohol and whatever money I made would go right back into the addiction. I wanted to get away from it all, so I moved once again, this time to Vancouver.
This campaign was made in collaboration with Covenant House Vancouver.
This campaign was generously supported in part by Bridges Restaurant.
“Some very bad life decisions led me into a long-lasting battle with a serious alcohol and cigarette addiction. I’ve been clean for almost 16 years now, but last week I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, cancer of the tongue. I need a phone to keep me in touch with my doctors, and to connect me with my support services.”
PAST CAMPAIGNS
2015 - 2016
Connect Vancouver's past campaigns have involved work with The Community of Hope, a Vancouver based drop-in providing local outreach programs for the past 20 years. Our work helped connect individuals with new cell phones, and four months of free service.
MEET GREG
I was wheelchair bound for a few years, and left without a steady income because of an injury to my back. For 3 years I lived in a back alley, rummaging for food and sometimes on the brink of death. I can tell you that most of the time I woke up thinking, “will today be my last day?”
MEET GARY
Some very bad life decisions led me into a long-lasting battle with a serious alcohol and cigarette addiction. I've been clean for almost 16 year now, but last week I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, cancer of the tongue. I need a phone to keep me in touch with my doctors, and to connect me with my support services. I have a battle ahead of me.
This campaign was made in collaboration with the Community of Hope.
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