{"id":29907,"date":"2021-08-13T04:48:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-13T11:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/?p=29907"},"modified":"2021-08-13T08:37:38","modified_gmt":"2021-08-13T15:37:38","slug":"tech-for-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/tech-for-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Tech for Success"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Virtual classrooms demonstrate the marvels of modern technology\u2014for those with access to them. Students without adequate technology faced a myriad of challenges. Among them, some students did not have internet connectivity while others struggled to navigate multiple class schedules on shared computers. The attentive staff of Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) noticed the need and stepped in to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We caught up with Toshania Solomon and Debra Shaw at TCHC via Zoom to learn how they helped tenants thrive in remote learning environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Meeting the need<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solomon was fresh on the job at TCHC when we spoke. With her, she brought years of experience in program management and community planning. This enabled her to hit the ground running as the supervisor of program support and implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne part of me was always working with people while the other part worked in the background with strategic structure,\u201d smiles Solomon. \u201cFor me, it\u2019s all about impact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first high impact project was largely self-assigned. During school closures during COVID-19, Solomon and her team noticed profound needs in the community. \u201cMy job entailed afterschool and summer programs,\u201d began Solomon. \u201cI noticed many families didn\u2019t have access to devices or only had one device with multiple kids.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The organization developed the idea of Tech for Learning Success, technology kits for families. The kits would include laptops for children and youth grades one to 12, internet subscriptions via Rogers Connected for Success, connection hardware, homework assistance and resources for adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne the idea was in place, everything just\u2026began to come together,\u201d says Solomon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tech for Learning Success<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
TCHC received a grant from Yardi to purchase the kits. With the funds, Solomon and her team were able to expand them to include laptop carrying bags, mice, headphones, notebooks and other essential office supplies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThanks to Yardi Canada\u2019s donation, we provided technology kits to 20 families in total. Sixteen families connected to TCHC through our Active Living programs, and four families from our rapid housing program that places families from the Toronto Shelter system into TCHC units,\u201d reports Debra Shaw, development officer for programs and partnerships at TCHC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt’s so important that kids in our community could be equipped like everyone else. We were able to meet them where they\u2019re at and elevate them from there,\u201d says Solomon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was so important to her, in fact, that she participated in the assembly and delivery of the kits. Along with members of the regional team, Solomon put supplies in the hands of 43 young people. They belonged to families that had registered on a first come, first serve basis as well as families with unique needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Shaw explains, \u201cOne family has a child with cerebral palsy who needs to spend more time in her online classes. This affects the other four children in the household who also need access to the device for online classes. It has been difficult to balance all of their online learning. They are particular pleased to have been selected for this program.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Putting kits to work<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
To optimize use of the kits, TCHC developed two learning streams. In Stream one, parents attended four 45-minute online workshop sessions. The sessions introduced parents to the devices as well as the basics of cybersecurity, teaching at home and general wellness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In stream two, kids and youth learned how to operate the technology appropriately and how to stay safe while on the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Families also receive a PDF listing free educational resources such as community agencies offering support, games, worksheets, literacy and free tutoring services. These resources are all accessible online and community services broken down by geographical regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis project has been so rewarding,\u201d beams Solomon. \u201cTo be clear, tenants are thriving with or without our help. They\u2019re doing what they need to in order to get things done. Tenants, including the kids, have an unmatched sense of resiliency and they\u2019re able to tap into resources and share them. But I\u2019m so glad to be a part of this and offer these resources.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lasting impact of technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
TCHC checked in with households one month and four months after receiving the kits. Overall, recipients report a sense of relief. The Tech for Success Kits helped to alleviate stresses around remote learning. Tenants were enthusiastic about participating in the program:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are so excited to have this new laptop on hand at this moment. This will really help<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
myson with his virtual classes online. Thank you so much for this great gift.\u201d – Tenant<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
from Firvalley<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe kids are now able to get more homework done as they were sharing before.\u201d – Tenant<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
from Scarlett Manor<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKeep up the good work as this kind of work is always appreciated and there are a lot of<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
families in need.\u201d – Tenant from Scarlett Manor<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Twenty children from twenty families enrolled in six, 30-minute private tutoring sessions. The majority of families (15 out of 20) were strongly committed to the program and participated in the tutoring and additional supports offered; they stayed connected with TCHC staff to access as many resources as were available for their children. Nine children attended the sessions three or more times and four children one to two times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three families found the tutorials rewarding enough to register their children in a complementary after-school program. They receive additional homework help and participate in extracurricular activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis engagement is, in our collective opinion, the strongest argument in favour of this and similar programs in TCHC buildings,\u201d says Shaw. \u201cWe were able to pull this together so quickly because Yardi has gone above and beyond in support of the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInvesting in the future of Canada involves changing our mindset,\u201d says Altobelli, \u201cthe first step is to be a part of the conversation and listen to what is needed. These communities bring innovative perspectives that will transform our global competitiveness in the coming years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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