kids@computers
About kids@computers
The kids@computers Scholarship Project awards computers and Internet access to children of low-income families in Toronto. To apply for a computer scholarship, children must complete an application and, if successful, take part in a computer orientation session.
This project is an innovative and successful partnership between various City of Toronto divisions and non-City organizations.
This unique scholarship project has two goals:
- to provide children from low-income families with home computers, giving them the chance to share the opportunities that kids in many other families enjoy, and
- to help children gain the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to succeed in today’s world.
The kids@computers scholarship is available to children living in Toronto between 8 and 14 years of age who do not have a computer. Eligible families must live in subsidized housing or receive Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) benefits. |
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Successful applicants and their families receive:
- basic computer orientation sessions
- a home computer with software and a printer
- Internet access for one year
Read about how to apply for a computer scholarship.
If you represent an organization and want to help, find out how to become a sponsor.
Awards and successes
Through this program, Employment and Social Services had distributed home computers to 35,000 children in 14,050 families by the end of 2009.
Awards presented to the kids@computers Scholarship Project include:
- Finalist for the 2009 I.P.A.C./Deloitte Public Sector Leadership Award
- The 2008 Ontario Showcase Merit Award
- The Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) 2005 Willis Award for Innovation for a municipality with a population over 20,000
- The Public Sector Quality Fair (PSQF) 2004 Silver Award
- Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) 2004 Community IT Hero Award
- The Industry Canada LibraryNet Award for Best Practices in 2002: Innovative Internet Use in Canadian Public Libraries
These quotes demonstrate the importance of the kids@computers project:
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"I have trouble doing my homework because the library is far and my mom can't take me because she is sick. My mom can't buy a computer because it is too expensive. Please please try your best in helping me and my mom to get a computer for me. Thank you for taking time to read my letter."
—Melek, scholarship applicant
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“I want to thank all of you that made this amazing opportunity possible for me and my family (I'm writing this letter on the computer right now.) This was a great help to me and my family because my mom was and still is, in a really tight situation with her money. I think you guys/girls are really great at what you do because you really help a lot of people that have the disadvantage of affording a computer including my family and myself.”
—Kate-Lynn, scholarship recipient
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"Computers are no longer considered a luxury in society but rather a necessity. The government has incorporated the use of computers into the regular school curriculum and the students are expected to become proficient computer users… It is wonderful to know that there is an organization that can help place computers with deserving students."
—Adriana, grade 3 teacher
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“In my family only my dad goes to work and we didn't have that much money to buy a computer then you gave us free lessons about computers...so that was very helpful. Thank you very much!”
—Kruba, scholarship recipient |
Apply for a computer scholarship
If you are living in Toronto, are 8 to 14 years old and your family lives in subsidized housing or receives Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) benefits, you can apply for a home computer through the kids@computers Scholarship Project.
To apply for the kids@computers scholarship:
- Ask your parent or guardian to pick up an application from an Employment and Social Services office or call 416-392-8610.
- Fill out the application telling us, in your own words, why you need a home computer.
- Ask a professional adult in your community who knows you to write a letter of support to send with your application form. For example, this adult could be a teacher, principal, police officer or community worker
If you are selected for a kids@computers scholarship:
- You will need to attend a free computer orientation session.
- Your parent or guardian will need to attend one computer orientation session with you.
- You will be awarded a computer, printer and Internet service once you have completed the computer orientation session.
If you have any questions about the kids@computers Scholarship Project you or your parent/guardian can call 416-392-8610.
Become a sponsor
The kids@computers Scholarship Project provides a unique opportunity for your organization to make a difference in the lives of a child, a family, and an entire community.
Your sponsorship will help ensure that:
- kids@computers can assist the 27,000 families who remain eligible to receive a scholarship;
- Toronto's disadvantaged children have access to the resources they need to realize their potential;
- households across Toronto are connected to the Internet and can participate in the electronic marketplace;
- your future employees have the high-quality skills integral to corporate success in a competitive, knowledge-based, global economy; and
- as a community leader, your organization's profile is recognized and enhanced.
Become a sponsor of the kids@computers Scholarship Project today.
| Please contact: |
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kids@computers Scholarship Project
330-700 Lawrence Ave. West
Toronto, Ontario
M6A 3B3 |
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Angela Geridis-Ouimet
Supervisor
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416-392-8541 |
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Sandra Sookdeo,
Support Assistant |
416-392-8610 |
Individual donors |
If you are an individual who would like to make a financial contribution to the kids@computers Scholarship Project your support is welcome.
For details on how to donate, please call Angela Geridis-Ouimet at
416-392-8541. |
Watch the kids@computers video clip...
Project partners
The kids@computers Scholarship Project would not be possible without the generous support of our partners:
Through this partnership, administrative expenses are kept to a mere 8 per cent of overall project costs.
- Employment and Social Services staff members assess applications, schedule computer orientation sessions, coordinate the distribution of computers to children and provide support to clients.
- Toronto Public Library, Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and/or Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Clubs provide computer orientation sessions.
- Firefighters from Toronto Fire Services serve as mentors to children participating in the program.
Additional training for computer recipients
The City of Toronto provides basic computer orientation sessions to all kids@computers scholarship recipients.If you have already received a computer scholarship and are interested in additional training, visit the Parks, Forestry and Recreation website. There, you can find information on computer courses through the Fun Guide.
If you cannot afford to pay the fees for these courses, read about the Welcome Policy.
You may also contact your local Toronto Public Library to find free computer classes, schedules and times.
