Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

About this organization

Mission

To level the playing field for financially disadvantaged youth by providing home computers and technology programs to get them digitally connected. By giving students the tools they need to get “connected” they can compete with their peers, and by encouraging dialogue about choices and opportunities, we hope to increase student self-esteem and confidence. We trust the students will know, like we do, that they can improve their own futures and realize their dreams.

History of Organization

• Founded by Scott Paterson and John McMahon in 1997 to help level the playing field and "turn on learning" by providing access to technology for families who could not afford it. 
• Since 1997, the Foundation has supplied 900 computers to children in Peel Region and Toronto.
• In the first year of the program, 21 computers were distributed to financially disadvantaged families and relied heavily on relationships with Peel District School Board.
• In 1998, with relationships nurtured within the Toronto District School Board, 28 more computers were dispersed to the homes of underprivileged children in Regent Park. From this evolved a new mentor component of the program which relied heavily on close relationships with Toronto Police Service 51 Division.
• After a successful distribution of 49 home computer systems and Internet dial-ups, Merry Go Round was ready for a full scale launch of its community outreach program. Nurturing of business relationships resulted in Mr. Paterson's success in securing four founding partners to launch the program in 2001 - Rogers, IBM Canada, Microsoft and CDI College (now Everest College).
• The addition of police officer "e-buddies" addressed the observation that troubled children new to technology would benefit from mentor support.
• With 150 computers installed in 2009 our total computers installed since inception stands at 900.

Accolades and Accomplishments

A Certificate of Appreciation Was presented to Merry Go Round Children’s Foundation for our outstanding participation as a partner of the Toronto District School Board for contributing to the success and well-being of TDSB students through supportive, encouraging and inclusive educational experiences (May 25, 2009).

Programs

>Kids, Cops & Computers

The Kids, Cops & Computers program began in 1998 in Regent Park. Merry Go Round Children’s Foundation provided brand new computers, monitors and printers and Rogers donated internet connections. Financially disadvantaged kids connected with 51 Division police officers who became an “eBuddy” and emailed each other weekly.

Kids, Cops & Computers is a corporate - community partnership with a goal to improve student outcomes for financially disadvantaged youth in Toronto by providing them a new computer, Internet access, ebuddy mentoring, training and support.

Merry Go Round Children’s Foundation works closely with the Toronto District and Toronto Catholic District School Boards who identify high priority schools where the principal and teachers select students for the program. Once the students are selected and their computer is installed in their home, the next step is to meet their police “eBuddy”.

Toronto Police Service has been an integral part of the program for many years. Police officers donate their time as an “eBuddy”. The officer and student commit to email each other once a week. This interaction builds a friendship, mutual respect, and learning opportunities - in both directions. The officers have the opportunity to mentor their eBuddy while demonstrating they are “real” people who happen to wear a uniform. There are over 180 officers acting as an eBuddy today! Each student in the Kids, Cops & Computers program receives a cable Internet line in their home provided by Rogers. To maintain the Internet connection, program participants fulfill various requirements including weekly emails with their eBuddy and demonstrating how they have used the computer on two school projects.

Kids, Cops & Computers

Kids, Cops & Computers is a corporate - community partnership with a goal to improve student outcomes for financially disadvantaged youth in Toronto by providing them a new computer, Internet access, ebuddy mentoring, training and support.

Merry Go Round Children’s Foundation works closely with the Toronto District and Toronto Catholic District School Boards who identify high priority schools where the principal and teachers select students for the program.

Once the students are selected and their computer is installed in their home, the next step is to meet their police “eBuddy”.

Funding and Program Partners

Toronto Police Service has been an integral part of the program for many years. Rogers Communications has been a significant contributor for seven years providing internet access. HP has contributed to our hardware needs and Microsoft and Symantec have generously provided software. Deloitte recently provided assistance through their Advising the Community Together (ACT) program by completing an extensive strategic planning exercise. Everest College provides computer training at their Toronto campus and many other organizations including CIBC Children’s Foundation and Imperial Oil Foundation are supporters of Merry Go Round Children’s Foundation.

Program Impact

If today’s kids are not digitally connected they have a strike against them. Their opportunities in life are restricted and limited. It doesn't have to be this way. By contributing to the Kids, Cops & Computers program you can help provide home access to the Internet as well as a strong role model mentor which will level the playing field.

Simply put, the more money we raise the more kids we help. Money buys computers, monitors, printers and Internet connections which provides access to the world’s largest encyclopaedia.

We receive very generous support from our corporate sponsors but that is not enough. As an example, last year HP donated 64 computers, monitors and printers, and we purchased 136 computers, monitors and printers. While we very much appreciate the support from companies like HP, Rogers, Microsoft, Symantec and others, we want to do more. This is where you can make a difference.

Our objective is to grow the Kids, Cops & Computers program so the schools in the thirteen identified “at-risk” communities in Toronto don’t have kids held back because they can’t afford a computer or Internet access. With your support they can get digitally connected and successfully compete with their peers.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“Education and prosperity are closely linked and successful cities rely on continuous learning.”

“High school completion key to success:

• 18.5 % of those in the region 15 years old and over, had not completed secondary education in 2008” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

"Dear Mr. Paterson and Sponsors: They say “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”. That’s what I learned when I was given such a wonderful opportunity from Merry go Round who not only provide you with a computer but the confidence to excel. I feel honoured to have been chosen as one of the participants in this program.

The computer and the free internet I was provided with have helped me a lot with school assignments, major projects and finding out helpful educational information through the internet. I achieved much through the Merry Go Round Program as I feel my grades have improved and having come to Canada just two years ago, I can see myself more comfortable with the Canadian curriculum. I remember not knowing anything about Canadian History before but not I have discovered helpful websites like   thecanadianencyclopedia.com to access such information. Another really helpful website for me is the Aboutfrench.com which helps me with my French assignments especially grammar.

I definitely see myself on that journey of a thousand miles, all thanks to that one step Merry Go Round has provided for me. Having a printer at home has allowed me to hand in my assignments on time as previously I would have to find the time to have the work printed at the local library. Being a member of the Merry Go round program has helped me meet and communicate with people like my e-buddy Officer Kelly. I am really grateful for this opportunity because who else gets to talk to a Police Officer unless you are in trouble!

I would never have imagined being in a program like Merry Go Round. A program that gives you that support you need to reach your goals. Looking back at the time I didn’t have a computer has made me extremely grateful. Merry Go Round has given me a chance at success early, giving me more time to excel in the near future. Merry Go Round to me is “A great key, to great achievement”. Today, I definitely see myself on that journey of a thousand miles, all thanks to that one step Merry Go Round has provided for me." - B.M., a Woodbine Junior High School student