Making connections

Imagine not having access to accounts, information, resources; no way to apply for jobs, connect with friends and family, and no digital skills to be able to accomplish any of those tasks.

It may be surprising to learn that in a city like Winnipeg, not everyone who’d like to be connected online has both the device and the know-how to use it. That means people are being left behind in significant ways.

That’s where North End Connect Inc. comes in.

The Indigenous-led, non-profit community service organization is dedicated to advancing digital equity and fostering reconciliation in Winnipeg’s North End. Despite its rich heritage, the North End faces continuing challenges, including economic disparities and limited access to digital resources.

With a mission to bridge the digital divide by providing affordable internet connectivity, access to technology and digital literacy training tailored to the unique needs of the community, North End Connect is aligning efforts with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations, working to create inclusive opportunities that honour Indigenous knowledge and traditions.

The collective effort is one of several local community groups, technical experts and researchers sharing the view that there are barriers to their clients’ ability to access and safely use online resources and services, and something needs to be done to change that.

Courtney Comber, executive director of North End Connect Inc., is an Indigenous woman born and raised in Winnipeg. She spent some time in foster care and has experience growing up in the North End. She had no internet as a teenager and remembers the long walks to get access.

For a decade she worked in data entry, then studied a trade and was eventually recommended by another organization to join North End Connect as a support person.

Comber remembers the interview with project manager Joel Templeman early last year and the realization that she was in the right place.

“I know Joel. He was my teacher in Grade 5. The cosmos aligned,” she said, adding that it was a good fit, first starting as director of operations and then quickly moving to become executive director.

“I wanted to do something more fulfilling,” Comber continued. “When I joined the team, I thought it was likely a one- or two-month temporary position, but they saw my work ethic. I’m loving the job. I think what I appreciate the most is the challenge, honestly. Since I was brought on it’s been an uphill learning curve: jumping into a new role — grant proposals… I appreciate all of the knowledge that I’m learning and helping the community in a tangible way.”

North End Connect initially began as a research project, with community members and organizations reaching out to have the research done, asking for support and help. Now incorporated, it has a team of three full-time employees and two summer students providing additional support. The organization has had volunteers, as well, and is open to having more.

Part of its success and the enthusiasm surrounding it is the deep sense of community it fosters and its partnerships with other local organizations. Located at 541 Selkirk Ave., North End Connect shares space with Merchants Corner and with other groups, including Community Helpers Unite on Jarvis Avenue.

“Our objective is to bridge the digital divide in Winnipeg’s North End,” said Comber.

“Our programs tackle three main barriers, the biggest being financial. A lot of people can’t afford computers and the monthly fee for internet. Our programs are designed to combat that. We provide refurbished computers. We work with Community Helpers Unite to bring them to the North End. Travel and transportation is another barrier for community members,” she continued.

“And that kind of leads to digital literacy. If people don’t know how to use them, we work with St. John’s Library, where we provide digital skills classes in a curriculum-based program,” she said, noting that the content meets the users where they are to serve their individual needs.

Tech Tuesdays at the library help participants gain confidence and tools to access emails and navigate sites of interest.

North End Connect’s biggest initiative is to create a community-owned network, which involves putting antennas on rooftops throughout the neighbourhood. The ultimate goal is to see the entire North End covered so that everyone has access to the network.

Internet connectivity will open up a whole new world for many who’ve long had to live without it. Facilitating communications with clients and partnerships with schools, encouraging community members to go into IT as a career and building capacity throughout the area have all generated excitement.

“We’ve done workshops with local high schools, with students,” said Comber. “We teach them, introduce them to a different path they might not have considered before. They learn about computer refurbishment — how to crimp ethernet cables — routers and modems and how the internet works. The last workshop we had was a panel discussion with IT professionals speaking about their experiences. The guidance counsellor said one of the students from the workshop had decided to pursue IT in secondary school,” she added, happily.

Computer and cellphone donations are always welcome. Through its partnership with Computers for Schools Manitoba and Mother Earth Recycling, sustainability and community-building are at the heart of North End Connect.

“We are on the right path,” said Comber. “While we do go into schools and work with youth and students, it’s the digital literacy classes, Tech Tuesdays at the library, that are more commonly filled.”

A priority for North End Connect is to have the project led by community members and remain community-based so that everyone can benefit from having free access to the internet.

“I love it,” Comber said of the groundbreaking-work. “I’m always learning something. We are building something together. It feels like a little family.”

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca