Calgarians are really stepping up to help struggling families who lost some important possessions in a flood on January 9th.
The project involves making sure that children are not left behind when schools switch to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Youth Empowerment and Skills Center (YES Center) provides donated computers to students whose families cannot afford them.
But that attempt was disrupted when a burst pipe on January 9 led to flooding at the Forest Lawn community hall, where the YES center stored and distributed computers.
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Flooding of damaged pipe damage donated computers for Calgary children in need
The floods led to the loss of 135 computers, a blow to families whose children and teens struggle when personal learning is disrupted during the pandemic.
“When a family does not have (what it needs) to get online, it affects the child,” said Gar Gar, executive director of YES Center. “They fall behind and if they want to get up again, it is 10 times more difficult.”
People are now arriving at the YES Center’s new temporary home at the Alberta Park / Radisson Heights Community Hall with laptops and computers, along with monetary donations.
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COVID-19: Calgarians donate computers to help children return to online learning
“I was just devastated that (they) lost equipment,” donor Jocelyn Lockyer said. “I felt, you just have to get up.
“We absolutely must ensure that all children have access to computers.”
Among those receiving support is Iman Ali, who received a laptop from the YES center on Tuesday.
Two of her daughters, both in high school, will share the laptop.
“It helps because it will be easy for my daughters to access their homework,” Ali said. “It’s very good.”
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As pandemic highlights inequality in education, Calgary teen raises money for technology for all students
Gar says he is grateful for the support he receives from Calgarians.
“When we see donations like this, it opens our eyes to say, ‘I think we live in a good community.’
Information about to make a donation is available on the YES Center’s website.
Donor Tom Anderson, who downloaded a laptop on Tuesday, says he hopes more people will join him to support the YES center.
“I know a lot of people do have computers at home that they (they) can probably help with,” Anderson said. “Hopefully it is a great success.”
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