At-risk youth deserve a friendly future
New TELUS foundation will help fund local initiatives across Canada, Darren Entwistle says.
From our strong economy and distinguished universities to our diverse cultural influences and breathtaking natural beauty, Canada is aptly recognized as one of the world’s best places to live, work and raise a family.
Yet equal access to this abundance is not guaranteed.
The reality for countless Canadians is far more troubling. More than 1.5 million children go without nutritious meals every single day; 350,000 young people are in government care and often experience trauma and an isolating transition into adulthood; 30,000 Canadians are homeless on any given night, many of whom are disconnected from basic health care due to mental illness, addiction and other life circumstances; and 40 per cent of low-income families lack consistent Internet access, a fact that puts kids at risk of falling behind in school and in their future careers.
As a citizen and as a parent, I find these statistics unacceptable. We, as Canadians, need to do better — and we can do better.
At TELUS, I am privileged to work alongside talented individuals in a values-driven company, one that has long been defined by our passion to give where we live.
Today, building on our longstanding history of helping those in need, it is my honour to announce the launch of the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation. By fusing technology, social innovation and human compassion, we are leading the way to a brighter future for vulnerable young Canadians from Newfoundland and Labrador to Vancouver Island — and all communities in between.
The foundation will provide financial grants to grassroots charities across the country that work to empower at-risk youth by connecting them to essential resources, tools, mental health and health-care services. These local organizations understand first-hand the social needs that persist in our communities, but they are too often overlooked because of their smaller size, limited resources and local profile. The foundation ensures even the smallest charities have the opportunity to receive funding for health and education initiatives.
The foundation further elevates the passionate spirit of giving that underpins our culture of caring. Since 2000, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed more than $1 billion — $530 million in financial support and 1.21 million days of volunteerism — to create healthier, better connected and more sustainable communities across Canada and around the world. That includes helping kids with disabilities to communicate using technology, refurbishing and wiring shelters for homeless youth or victims of domestic violence, ensuring girls have access to specialist STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) courses and providing autistic youth in remote communities access to cutting-edge educational programs and developmental support.
We have also pioneered a number of innovative programs to help vulnerable families, including Internet for Good, Mobility for Good and Health for Good. These initiatives ensure underserved Canadians have access to the technology, health and educational opportunities that matter most.
TELUS’s inaugural contribution of $120 million to the foundation is the largest donation made by a Canadian publicly traded company in history and one of the largest ever in North America. This investment will enable the foundation to secure and augment the TELUS legacy of giving in perpetuity for the benefit of future generations.
Importantly, the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation forges a powerful opportunity for our TELUS team members, partners and customers to rally together and contribute meaningfully to improve our communities. By donating to these important causes together, we have an unprecedented opportunity to make a significant impact and better the lives of tens of thousands of Canadians.
Every single day, I am inspired by the tireless dedication I see from the 85,000 team members that comprise our TELUS family as they create remarkable human and social outcomes for the citizens in our communities. Through the launch of the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, I can say with absolute certainty that, together, we will improve lives and make the future friendly for all.
That’s a promise.