Taking a Collective Impact Approach
Collective impact is a form of collaboration that brings together diverse stakeholders to solve large complex problems. Use of a collective impact approach can create lasting solutions for critical social issues. It can be applied to areas as diverse as health, healthcare, education, poverty reduction, homelessness, youth development, community support, and many more. Furthermore, collective impact collaboration can be at neighborhood, regional, national and international levels.
Our Priorities
Access to Digital Literacy
We help fix this problem by developing key messages and terms for the decision makers, and we create programs for people who have trouble with technology. Some groups in our area, like ActionRead, Guelph Wellington Seniors Association, and Guelph CHC, have already started peer-based digital support programs. These programs teach basic skills like how to use the internet, and they help people borrow devices and take part in online programs using Zoom and Teams.
Access to Devices
One way is to give out recycled phones. For example, the Guelph Community Health Centre’s (CHC) ‘Get Connected’ phone drive offered 250free recycled devices to community members in need. We also work with phone companies to provide opportunities for cheaper or free devices. We record our progress and ask for help from companies to gain support. We also develop clear advocacy for new laws that make it easier for people to get cheap phone plans and unlimited data.
Access to Wifi
Because of COVID-19, it has become harder to access these places. We believe that Wi-Fi is essential for everyone, and it should be something that people can rely on. The Guelph Public Library has Wi-Fi that can be borrowed if you have a library card.
Access to Rural Internet
Even though their service is poor, they typically have to pay up to three times more for it than people living in cities. The Rural Guidebook talks about the challenges of getting internet in rural areas. We need to use a combination of methods to fix this problem. The government should consider new strategies to improve internet access, including using Fibre technology.
Advocacy
This is a problem that affects everyone, not just people who are the most vulnerable. Having internet access should be similar to having access to other necessities like water and electricity. So, we need to make sure that the companies that provide internet and cell phone services follow certain rules to make it fair and affordable for everyone. Everyone should be able to get a basic amount of data for a low price.