Rogers Communications is expanding its support for Women’s Shelters Canada and other organisations, with thousands of previously donated devices, voice and data plans extended by an additional six months. Throughout the first wave of the pandemic, hundreds of devices were provided to shelters across the country to help women and their children escaping violence and abuse access resources safely. Rogers also amplified awareness through sharing a video, a digital shelter map and crisis information across its national media assets to ensure women knew that support was available.

Devices were also provided to youth organisations like 360 Kids that support homeless youth, Durham Children’s Aid Foundation, and in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada which enabled “Littles” to stay in regular contact with their “Bigs” and keep these mentoring relationships going. Rogers also supports LGBTQ2S+ communities across Canada, and during the pandemic it provided devices to organisations like The 519, LGBT Youthline, Qmunity, GRIS Montreal and Pflag Canada, which used devices for virtual peer mentoring sessions. 

Free voice and data plans are also extended by six months for hospitals, community health centres, seniors’ homes and other organisations across the country that support vulnerable Canadians. 

In addition to these donations, Rogers provided Wi-Fi in homeless shelters and at hospitals, and supported youth education. It also partnered with Jays Care Foundation and Food Banks Canada to provide 8 million meals through food hampers for food banks across the country as part of Step Up to the Plate.