reBOOT Canada: A Year of Growth, Impact, and Looking Ahead

2024 marks a significant milestone for reBOOT Canada as we celebrate our first full year at our new Toronto location at 1633 Eglinton Ave W.

We are deeply grateful to our clients, donors, and supporters who have joined us in this transformative journey. The growth we’ve experienced – thanks to the continued trust of our donors, clients, staff, and friends – has been nothing short of remarkable.

From Scarborough to Mississauga, we welcomed reSTART clients and donors from across the GTA to our new home, providing them with the services and support they need.

For more information on the reSTART program or to donate, visit rebootcanada.ca/programs/restart/ or rebootcanada.ca/donate.

A special thank you to KC for her outstanding contribution during our transition!

Regional Updates

Vancouver

At 823 Powell St, now in its 20th month of operation, we’ve made a profound impact. Over 120 families have received laptops, free Wi-Fi has been extended to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, and we’ve had the privilege of hosting volunteers while receiving hundreds of generous donations. A heartfelt thank you to Steve’s leadership and Mike’s expertise for leading these important efforts.

Peterborough
At 251 Charlotte St, we continue to serve Southern Ontario, while extending our reach into Ottawa, Quebec, and the Maritimes. The leadership and dedication of Lars and the reliable hard work of the team: Scott, Krijn – and most recently Connor – has been key to our ongoing success.

Impact Highlights

This past year, we delivered measurable, positive change:

• Distributed 1,012 computers to low-income families (an impressive increase from 690 in 2023).
• Supported over 4 TB of free Wi-Fi across 9 active Access Points in communities nationwide.
• Provided over 4,000 hours of paid placements, helping youth and adults re-enter or advance in the job market.
• Diverted 4 tonnes of electronic waste and repurposed more than 1,000 devices for those in need.

Partnerships and Volunteers

Collaboration remains at the core of our mission. We are proud to work alongside:

• Lara at Sky’s the Limit Youth Organization, Ryan at Free Geek Toronto, and Owen at NPower Canada to promote digital equity through devices, connectivity, and skills.
• Quantum Lifecycle Partners for their commitment to secure and environmentally responsible IT equipment processing.
• In Vancouver, partnerships with the Avanade Foundation, Indigenous Friends Association, YWCA PowerUp, and Nisa Homes helped deliver 120 laptops to families and youth in need. Our collaboration with the Gathering Place Community Centre provides internet access in a safe space to at-risk individuals Vancouver’s Downtown South area. Many thanks to Owen for all of his hard work over the summer.
• In Toronto, volunteers Josh and Jessica’s corporate IT expertise has significantly enriched our work, while Krish’s contributions as a co-op student have made a lasting impact before moving on to Durham College.

Donor Impact

This year, we welcomed over 200 new donors from the Vancouver area, strengthening our missionto reduce electronic waste while increasing access to technology.

Institutional and corporate donors played a crucial role, contributing to over $600,000 in gift-in-kind value, repurposing more than 10,000 devices and accessories.

Looking Ahead: Goals for 2025

As we step into 2025, our focus remains clear:

• Expanding Reach: We will enhance our presence in Western Canada, optimize service delivery, and aim to support 2,025 families by year’s end.
• Enhancing Client Experiences: We are commited to improving our in-store experiences and response times for inbound inquiries.
• Promoting Online Safety: We’ll launch a new initiative to educate families on cybersecurity, providing informational guides with every device delivery and offering permanent online resources.

Gratitude and Hope

reBOOT Canada’s success is built on the shared values and collective effort of our community. We are immensely grateful for your unwavering support, partnerships, and dedication to digital equity. Together, we move forward into 2025 with optimism and determination, ready to amplify our impact and continue our important work.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

Sincerely,
The reBOOT Canada Team