Samsung Canada and Jays Care provide innovative technology for Indigenous youth

The partnership between Samsung Canada and Jays Care Foundation will see over 500 Chromebooks distributed to Indigenous communities across Canada.

Samsung Canada is proud to announce a partnership with Jays Care Foundation, the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club, to support increased access to technology and the educational aspirations of Indigenous youth across the country.

Recognizing the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on Indigenous communities, Jays Care has worked to support its Indigenous partners on their road to recovery. As part of this work, Samsung Canada is donating over 500 Samsung Chromebooks to children and youth in Jays Care Indigenous programs. The laptops were distributed to 27 Indigenous communities across Canada.

“Technology has the ability to educate, connect and empower people of all abilities and backgrounds, and therefore should be made more accessible to all groups. With this partnership, we hope that young people from various Indigenous communities can use the technology to support their future goals,” said Jeff Jo, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics Canada

The Samsung Chromebooks will support a wide variety of education initiatives in Indigenous communities, including access to online mental health services, support for hybrid or at-home learning and after-school programs, leadership training and additional programming for youth to gain employable skills.

According to many of the Indigenous communities who applied for the technology devices, widespread technology deficits in their communities have presented challenges for many young people. For example, a Grade 5 student in an Alberta community was unable to participate in schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown because they did not have access to digital technology at home.

As a leading technology provider, Samsung Canada has long supported youth programs through the Solve for Tomorrow initiative, a learning experience for Canadian students to envision a better world with the tools of technology and innovation.

The support needed for Indigenous communities shouldn’t end on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Samsung Canada is committed to closing the digital divide and boosting access to technology for Indigenous youth year-round. All Canadians can help, too. Visit samsung.com/ca/jayscare for more information and to make a donation today, Samsung Canada will match all individual donations made, up to $20,000 from September 30 to October 28, 2021