reBOOT Canada 2021 Year End Review and Plans for 2022

We ended 2020 with the expectations that 2021 would bring a measure of resolution and closure to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we find ourselves at the end of 2021 realizing that the novel coronavirus, and its capacity for evolution, will be with us for some time. 

So I am grateful to our staff, who adapted to adjusted operating hours, changes to scheduling and fulfillment processes, supply chain challenges and new ways of delivering our services remotely. Throughout the year, our staff across all locations kept the doors open and the lights on safely and reliably.

In the process, they helped close to 700 families stay connected by providing laptops and desktops, primarily as part of programs operated in collaboration with the Region of Peel and the City of Toronto. 

This year, we saw firsthand how the impact of the pandemic and the necessary response – the migration of services to online platforms, remote classrooms, job reduction and loss, and isolation – is compounded for those living with low-income. We thank the Region of Peel and City of Toronto, and recognize the work of social services caseworkers in all jurisdictions across the country who have continued to provide support to their clients during the year.

In 2021, some of our most important work happened in communities thousands of kilometres away from our Peterborough and Toronto offices. We thank the communities of Ugpi’Ganjig, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, Tulita Dene First Nation, Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation, Tla-o-qui-aht, MoCreebec Eeyoud and Fond Du Lac Denesuline First Nation for working with us on the Community reLAY project

We deeply admire the commitment of our partners in these communities to their communities, and their dedication to the work of building capacity, nurturing culture, and creating opportunities for local youth. Continuing and building on our work is certainly a bright spot for the coming year.

2022 will see growth in other areas of activity for the charity. We will be committing to more resources to our flagship reSTART and reSOURCE programs, bringing subsidized access to reliable refurbished computers to individuals and organizations across the country. As mentioned, we will be advancing the work of our Community reLAY project, adding new communities and adding opportunities for youth in these communities to connect and share their experiences with each other. To the extent that we can do so safely, we will be providing more skills-development opportunities and paid internships at our home locations for secondary school students in the region.

Thank you for helping us fulfill our mandate. You may have donated your personal computer, arranged for your company to donate a fleet of retired IT assets, used our reSTART program to obtain a refurbished laptop, spent some time with us to learn more about computers, or you may have made a cash donation through the Canadahelps.org or Benevity platform. In every case, you put your trust in reBOOT Canada and for that we sincerely express our appreciation to you and wish you, your family and community a safe and happy Christmas.