Brother and sister dial up phone care for homeless
Care Through Tech finds its first recipient outside Wesley Urban Ministries
Richard gives the same concise response for how long he’s slept outside and not had a phone. “Long enough.”
For the phone, there was an easy fix in the parking lot of Wesley Urban Ministries in downtown Hamilton on Wednesday afternoon.
Jasmine and Nicolas Rocci were dropping off a boxful of cellphones at 52 Catharine St. N. when the 50-year-old wheeled up on his BMX.
They’re the sister-and-brother team behind Care Through Tech, an initiative that collects donated cellphones and tablets for people experiencing homelessness, precariously housed or living in isolation.
The idea is to help them make and keep medical appointments and participate in telehealth — an increasingly common option during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We know that a lot of these people without stabilized housing also don’t have access to technology like we do, so we wanted to make sure that they’re getting proper access to health care,” said Jasmine, an immunology major to embark on public health graduate work.
The Roccis have partners in Wesley, the Shelter Health Network and other organizations that serve people experiencing homelessness.
The initiative will fill gaps for doctors who work with marginalized and homeless patients, says Dr. Kerry Beal, lead physician with the network.
“If you have these people out there who have no ability to get ahold of their doctor, to get ahold of their clinic, to make an appointment, they’re at a complete and total loss.”
Don Seymour, Wesley executive director, said a pilot project in London, Ont., involving about 400 phones allowed doctors to remind patients about appointments and taking medication.
“What this will do is it will eliminate so many barriers,” Seymour said, noting Wesley plans to raise funds to provide phone service for recipients.
To illustrate how crucial cellphones have become, he recalled a man who struggled with addiction.
“Every time before he used, he would duct-tape his phone to his chest. Didn’t want to lose it while he was under the influence, and that was his way of making sure he had that lifeline.”
Richard, who didn’t give his last name, said someone stole his phone while he was on the street. The Spectator met him while he was staying in a tent during the dead of winter in 2017. Back then, he went by his middle name. After that, he found housing for a time, but “not long enough.”
On Wednesday, Jasmine and Nicolas set him up with a BlackBerry and charger.
Richard said it would help him keep in touch with his doctor at the Wesley Day Centre on Ferguson Avenue North, but also for job hunting.
Jasmine said that’s another good use apart from health care. “We knew that it’s not the only reason.”
People can leave donations at drop-off locations in the Hamilton, Toronto, Niagara and Montreal areas, or the siblings will pick them up in the local area.
“We try to make it as easy and comfortable for everyone to donate,” said Nicolas, who just finished Grade 11.
In Hamilton, phones can left with Wesley Urban Ministries, 52 Catharine St. N. Donors are asked to contact Wesley in advance via 905-528-5629 or email info@wesley.ca.
The phones are wiped of donors’ personal information before going to new owners.
So far, the Roccis have received donations mostly from family and friends, but a yet-tobe-publicized corporate sponsor should increase supplies. For more information, visit carethroughtech.wixsite.com/ home.