Connection and community made possible through the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association and Rogers Connected for Success™

As youth across Ontario return to class, it’s striking how different back-to-school readiness looks like for today’s students compared to earlier cohorts. Then, it was backpacks and books; now, devices and reliable internet. And for thousands of young people living in community housing, bridging the digital is more critical than ever.

“You don’t want to be that kid who needs to tap into the wifi at the coffee shop to do homework, or who is skimming the neighbour’s internet to finish an assignment.  That just doesn’t cut it,” says Andrew McKenzie, Director of Operations at the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association.  “Without the internet, that kid falls behind before they really get a chance to discover their true potential.”

McKenzie feels for those kids; decades after growing up in the social housing system, he’s committing to bringing affordable and equitable programs to housing partners across the province through the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA).  The association represents nearly 700 non-profit housing providers and local housing corporations throughout the province, housing nearly half-a-million people in 170,000 homes across more than 200 Ontario communities.  ONPHA connects members to programs and resources that make a meaningful difference for their tenants, like Rogers’ low-cost high-speed internet program, Connected for Success.

“If I was growing up in community housing today, my family would have participated in the Connected for Success program. And during COVID and the pivot to hybrid and online learning, my neighbours would have too,” adds McKenzie.  “And not just for school – everyone needs reliable internet. I’m thinking of seniors, like my mother, who I’ve taught how to FaceTime to keep in touch.”

Making access easier, Connected for Success is available to qualifying customers in Ontario receiving income support through Ontario Works, the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), and for senior Ontarians receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). It is available everywhere in the province that Rogers offers internet service.

“The pandemic uncovered a lot of social gaps – but it surfaced new solutions too.  More programs and resources shifting to virtual brought more people online, out of necessity.  But once they get comfortable there, they can connect with family, friends, entertainment, and more,” says McKenzie. “And that’s what our OMPHA members hope to build on with greater internet access.  Connection, community and brighter futures – we can all use more of that.”

Working together with community partners like ONPHA, Rogers is committed to helping bridge the digital divide through its local investment programs and affordable products and services, including Connected for Success.The program is currently available to upwards of 750,000 Canadians in Rogers coverage area across Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland for those who receive income or disability support, the maximum childcare benefit, rent-geared-income housing, and seniors receiving the guaranteed income supplement. The program also offers speed tiers to support the evolving connectivity needs of Canadians.

To learn more about Rogers Connected for Success and to see if you are eligible, please visit: www.connectedforsuccess.ca or speak with one of our representatives by calling 1-866-689-0758, Monday-Friday 9am-6pm ET or Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm ET.