ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — There’s no doubt about the value of a cellphone when it comes to staying in touch with support networks, finding a job or a place to live.
TELUS and the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada say the importance of a cellphone is magnified for young people growing out of foster care. As of this week, youth in Newfoundland and Labrador who were living in the custody of the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development until their 19th birthday or who are eligible to participate in the province’s Youth Services Program can have two-year access to a free smartphone and subsidized TELUS mobile phone plan.
Through the TELUS Mobility for Good program, which was first launched in British Columbia in 2017, nationwide, youth transitioning from foster care can apply for a cellphone and plan that includes unlimited nationwide talk and text and up to 3GB of monthly data usage. While TELUS is providing the service to youth for free, the phone bills appear in the youth’s name in an effort to help them build positive credit and learn budgeting skills.
“Our TELUS team is pleased to extend this vital lifeline to more youth across the country, enabling them to begin their independent lives feeling safer, secure and more connected to the people, resources and opportunities that matter most to our future leaders and change-makers,” said Darren Entwistle, TELUS president and CEO.
TELUS says more than 5,400 youth across the country are already enrolled in the Mobility for Good program.
“We are working together with TELUS to provide our country’s most vulnerable young people with a lifeline that will enable them to search for a place to live, seek job opportunities and stay in touch with friends and vital support networks,” said Valerie McMurtry, president and CEO of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada. “We are incredibly grateful to be able to expand this offering to even more youth in Newfoundland.”
The province's Department of Children, Seniors and Social development told The Telegram it applauds TELUS for the initiative.
"The department provides a broad range of supports and services to youth ages 16 to 21 to support youth as they prepare for adulthood," a spokeswoman said in an email. "This technology being provided by TELUS will help youth who had been in care as they make this critical transition."
Youth who are currently transitioning from care or have already transitioned from care and are aged 18 to 26 can apply for the program at telus.com/mobilityforgood.
