PROJECT CONNECT KINGSTON
Project Connect is a community-based initiative to collect donations of gently used cellphones and accessories (chargers, SIM cards) for survivors of intimate partner violence and other vulnerable groups
WHO WE ARE
We are a group of students from the Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen’s University, including members of KHealth and the Women’s Health Interest Group within the School of Medicine.
Project Connect is a gently used cell phone drive which aims to support survivors of intimate partner violence and other vulnerable groups here in Kingston. We have partnered with local organizations Interval House, Dawn House, Sexual Assault Centre Kingston and Street Health who have agreed to both receive items (cellphones, charger, SIM cards) and monetary donations and distribute them to communities in need.
HOW WE STARTED
Project Connect is a nationwide initiative that started with a group of medical students at Memorial University of Newfoundland who organized a drive of used cell phones for their local women’s shelter and the project is now expanding across Canada. We would like to bring to bring Project Connect to the Kingston community, not just for survivors of intimate partner violence but also for other vulnerable groups for whom access to a phone may be a necessity.
Phones are critically important to function in our society today; oftentimes, you need a phone to access healthcare, support, shelter, safety (calling 911) work and a fresh start. Phones can give these individuals autonomy and the ability to start fresh.
Project Connect therefore endeavors to empower and engage our communities to contribute to this vulnerable population’s future.
If you would like to share a webstory about this initiative with friends and family: https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/queen-s-university-students-ask-for-gently-used-cellphones-for-a-good-cause-1.5387586