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Nov 16th, 2019

OCHC and Connected Canadians partner up to help seniors navigate the digital world

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November 16, 2019 – A partnership between Ottawa Community Housing Corporation and Connected Canadians will open up the digital world for 50 senior residents.   

The parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which paves the way for Connected Canadians to offer five workshops where volunteers will work with residents one-on-one to help navigate their digital devices.   

It is a win-win, as improved digital literacy can break down barriers and help with social isolation – allowing seniors to keep in touch with family members and others – and Connected Canadians volunteers gain valuable work experience. 

On November 16, volunteers offered the first in a series of five workshops at 280 Montfort Street. The workshop was a success, with registration nearly reaching capacity. Courses will be offered at rotating locations throughout the OCHC portfolio every six weeks.  

 Quotes: 

Opening up the digital world to those who find technology challenging is invaluable. Being connected online has so many benefits, including breaking down social barriers and linking senior tenants to others.

 – Stéphane Giguère, CEO for OCHC 

 OCHC values working closely with partners to help build stronger communities. We thank Connected Canadians for their collaboration on this project, and we hope to be able to build our relationship to help more seniors gain valuable skills.
– Mathieu Fleury, Rideau-Vanier Councillor and OCHC Board Chair 

Technology is part of everyday life; it keeps us connected to each other and the world around us. Today, digital literacy skills are essential for everyone and older adults are no exception. We founded Connected Canadians because we believe digital literacy is a human right and no one, regardless of age, should be left behind.

– Emily Jones Joanisse, CEO and co-founder of Connected Canadians 

 Quick facts: 

  • Forty-six seniors live alone at 280 Montfort Street. 
  • Fifty seniors will benefit from the program in 2020. 
  • The average age of residents living in the Montfort community is 72 years old. 

 

About Ottawa Community Housing Corporation
Ottawa Community Housing (OCHC) provides approximately 15,000 homes to over 32,000 tenants, including seniors, parents, children, couples, singles and persons with special needs, within many communities across the City of Ottawa. OCHC houses a diverse population of varying languages, ethnicity and cultures. OCHC is the largest social housing provider in Ottawa, managing two-thirds of the City’s social housing portfolio, and is the second largest in Ontario. OCHC was selected as one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers for the second consecutive year in 2019. www.och-lco.ca | Twitter LinkedIN | Facebook Instagram 

About Connected Canadians
Connected Canadians is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting digital literacy skills amongst seniors by providing free technology training and support. Connected Canadians believes that all people should be empowered to use technology safely and effectively to help them engage with loved ones and enhance their quality of life. 
 

For additional information, please contact:  

Jennifer McIntosh – Communications and Marketing Specialist – OCHC – Tel: 613-914-9953 Email: jennifer.mcintosh@och.ca