New federal partnership to help communities respond to the needs of the homeless
October 25, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA, ONTARIO - The Government of Canada announced plans today to work with private and charitable organizations to provide the homeless and community shelters with better access to information-technology resources. The Digital Inclusion Partnership (DIP) was launched today by the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing, along with Mike Parkhill from Microsoft Canada, Michael Sears from TelecomPioneers, and representatives from Industry Canada's Computers for Schools program.
This partnership will improve IT access for shelters by providing them with hardware, software and technical support. This will enable them to better serve the needs of homeless individuals, as well as build networks to increase knowledge sharing and understanding of homelessness in Canada. The partnership will also increase shelters' capacity to provide internet access to homeless individuals looking for information on housing, jobs, social services and learning opportunities.
Our partnership represents an initial investment of $250,000 in hardware and software, but its true value is impossible to measure, said Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing. This is because of the many volunteer hours being donated by Telecom Pioneers, Microsoft and Industry Canada's Computers for Schools program. Our technical support is what will make this initiative a long-term success.
The federal government and the regional organizations are to be commended for their efforts in establishing the Digital Inclusion Partnership for homelessness, said Allan Miller, Vice President of TelecomPioneers of Canada. The TelecomPioneers of Canada are committed to this worthwhile and necessary partnership. We will work with regional co-ordinators to ensure optimal benefit from our volunteer resource base.
Microsoft Canada believes passionately in helping people and organizations realize their full potential, said Mike Parkhill, Director, Academic Sector, Microsoft Canada. In today's society, access to technology can be a key factor in improving the lives of those in need. We hope our contribution will help both homeless people and the wonderful organizations working to improve their lives.
Computers for Schools is pleased to participate in a collaboration that helps the most vulnerable of Canadians have access to information and communications technologies, the Honourable David L. Emerson, Ministry of Industry, said. By diverting surplus computers from entering landfill sites, Computers for Schools has turned a potential environmental liability into a tool for learning, and a way to help Canadians gain access to the services and assistance they need.
The DIP was instigated by the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) Initiative team, a component of the National Homeless Initiative. HIFIS is an electronic data management system that allows users to collect and share information on the homeless population in Canada. The success of the HIFIS Initiative depends on shelters having access to IT equipment and support. The Digital Inclusion Partnership responds to this need.
Second Chances: Aboriginal Inmates Acquiring ICT Skills and Helping Kids
October 21, 2005
Creating a climate of economic opportunity for Aboriginal Canadians is a priority for the Government of Canada. Industry Canada's Computers for Schools program is contributing to this priority by providing incarcerated Aboriginals with training in the area of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), to help them with reintegration and in finding jobs upon their release.
The Computers for Schools (CFS) program operates more than 65 computer refurbishing centres across Canada . One Innovation Award-winning Computer Refurbishment Pilot Project, coordinated by CFS Manitoba, helped 60 inmates gain hands-on ICT training at the Headingley Correctional Centre near Winnipeg. The inmates, who often find it difficult to access ICT skills training, were taught basic computer refurbishment skills and contributed to the CFS program. They also gained confidence and a belief they could contribute positively to society.
“This program and how it is run, gave me the opportunity to earn, not only a certificate, but a small piece of self-respect,” a former inmate and program participant wrote in a recent testimonial. “Everyone who ends up in jail cannot be measured by the same cloth. Life can throw any one of us an overwhelming and crippling blow that lands us in troubled times.”
The pilot project in Manitoba ran from 2000 to 2004 and saw approximately 1,700 computers refurbished. It was a collaborative effort among Industry Canada, Computers for Schools, the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resources Development, Headingley Correctional Centre, and Libraries-Manitoba. The project demonstrated how providing ICT work experience (refurbishing and repairing computers) to incarcerated Aboriginals and other inmates resulted in more equitable access to computers and software in some regions, as inmates transfer their skills to their communities upon their return. Fourteen individuals who took part in the project are now employed, with six working in the ICT field. An additional six participants have gone on to further computer education.
In May 2005, Industry Canada Director General, Information Highway Applications Branch, Deborah Davis visited the Headingley CFS Refurbishment Centre during a trip to the Prairie and Northern Region.
“This is an excellent initiative providing inmates the opportunity to gain marketable ICT skills and reduce the recidivism rate,” said Deborah. “It's a great project for other institutions to model.”
In 2002, the Headingley Refurbishment Project was showcased on CBC Television's Canada Now Manitoba. The positive exposure led to the project being replicated in the Fairford First Nation in Manitoba and the Cowesses First Nation in Saskatchewan.
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