Workhaus is excited to announce that we have partnered with Let’s Get Together to provide safe, easy, and responsible e-waste disposal at Workhaus. Learn more about how your e-waste donation helps bridge the digital divide.
“Many things we do because it’s something we did before; it’s comfortable. What I love is looking at what hasn’t been done yet and who haven’t we talked to. What pushes us to the border of those boxes and then to step outside our comfort zone. Only then can we discover what we’re made of, and what we can do together.”
-Alison Canning, Founder & Executive Director at Let’s Get Together
Workhaus is excited to announce that we have partnered with Let’s Get Together to provide safe, easy, and responsible e-waste disposal at Workhaus.
As part of this initiative, Let’s Get Together has provided e-waste bins at designated Workhaus locations. Members can bring in any old office or home electronics, working or not, and drop them off in the e-waste bin for safe and responsible disposal.
Let’s Get Together’s mission goes far beyond just e-waste disposal. In a world where access to technology is no longer a luxury, but a fundamental necessity for education, employment, and connection, they are dedicated to achieving digital equity and bridging the digital divide. They envision a world where every person has equal opportunity to pursue higher education with no barriers. Through their Tech4All program, they refurbish e-waste and redistribute it to those in need. E-waste that can’t be furbished is safely recycled or used in one of their computer education workshops.
At Workhaus we’re thrilled to empower our community to participate directly in this impactful mission by using the new easily accessible drop-off bins. We encourage all Workhaus members to donate any unwanted electronics. Your contribution, no matter the age or condition of the device, can make a significant difference. As Alison told us, reflecting on her previous work with Habitat for Humanity, “Every hand counts and no hand is too small.”
To help you learn more about this initiative and the other great work that her organization is doing, we recently interviewed Alison Canning, Founder & Executive Director at Let’s Get Together. We spoke about how her organization got started and where they’re going, and she shared her thoughts on the importance of digital equity, environmental consciousness, and how the two overlap.
“To people going into the sector, I’d say: really build your community, because it isn’t an easy road. You’ll probably receive, and continue to receive ‘No’ or ‘I don’t know’, or ‘we’ll see’, until you get to that person who will go ‘Okay, let’s go’.”
Let’s Get Together, founded in 2017, started off in a school where Alison was on the parent council. Working with teachers and students, Alison saw both groups facing struggles and frustrations. Driven by the thought “We can do better as a community,” Alison founded Let’s Get Together, which delivered workshops and student programming at schools, with the aim of helping teachers and support workers.
“That was good for a time,” said Alison. “But it wasn’t impactful, because our mission was to make learning equitable and education accessible, and that was more about information only.”
“Computers are the new backpacks.”
The organization’s mission and approach would evolve in 2018. Let’s Get Together was working with the community to assemble backpacks for distribution to the community, when Alison had an eye-opening encounter with a student volunteer.
“There was a grade 11 student who was volunteering with us,” Alison recalled. “An amazing young lady who aspired to be a nurse. She wanted to study at TMU, was a rising track star, loved school and community, and lived in a single parent household. She told me she had to go home to write an 800-word essay on a phone. All her research and an 800-word essay on a phone. That’s all she had. I can only imagine how much of a struggle it is to read and write everything on a phone, but she settled.”
Alison was shocked to hear that neither the school nor the teacher were able to help. This pivotal conversation marked the ‘aha!’ moment that would shift the focus of her organization. “That’s when I realized computers were the new backpacks. Since then, we started finding ways to bring technology to those in most need, so that they can pursue their own dreams and realize their own potential.”
From the ‘aha’ moment on, Let’s Get Together has expanded its reach and programming, working with agencies, schools, hospitals, shelters, and individuals of all ages and from all walks of life. Their central program is Tech4All, which is focused on collecting, refurbishing, and distributing computers to those who need them.
“If we’re protecting our planet and we’re putting tech out there, we have a responsibility to collect it.”
Guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Let’s Get Together is dedicated to advancing equity and accessibility in education by focusing on three missions. Achieving tech equity and addressing climate change is the twofold mission at the core of all they do. Through their many programs and initiatives, they work to make learning equitable and education accessible by providing not just devices but also the skills and support needed to use them effectively. They also work to address financial barriers to post-secondary education and to help foster a growth mindset and sense of resilience in everyone they work with.
Through their Tech4All program, which collects, refurbishes, and redistributes e-waste, Let’s Get Together provides essential technology to those in need while simultaneously reducing electronic waste and promoting environmental stewardship.
“We want to take it all,” Alison told us. “Because part of the problem is there’s not enough places for people to conveniently drop off e-waste. So by Workhaus having a bin and more locations having bins available, then can we really work together to communally protect the planet.”
Collecting e-waste is only the beginning. The next step in getting those devices into the hands of those who need them and making sure that they are usable. As a part of this work, Let’s Get Together delivers programs like their Computer Anatomy Workshops, an interactive learning experience for all ages, and their TechandMe digital & tech workshops and tutorials
“We’re teaching them how to refurbish and take care of computers, safely recycle materials that we don’t use, and then give the refurbished computers back to those in need. And we’re talking about families, newcomers, seniors, anybody – so that they have a chance to keep pursuing their own dreams, their own goals, and contribute to society. “
It’s also vital the recipients know how to use and care for their new devices. “We do recognize when we’re giving devices to people that it is a powerful tool,” Alison explained. “So by teaching them to upgrade their tech skills through refurbishment, they’ll hopefully develop a more respectful relationship with technology and be aware of what to do with it after it’s done, or learn how to better care for it so it lasts longer.” Caring for a device also means knowing how to navigate the digital world safely and effectively. For this reason, Let’s Get Together also offers programs and training focused on digital literacy and data security, addressing topics like online scams.
“Our vision is to set up Tech4All hubs all across Canada.”
As part of their bold vision for the future, Let’s Get Together is working toward the goal of having a Tech4All hub in every province and territory across Canada, creating a national network of support. “We are a very small organization,” said Alison. “1, 2, 3, 4, 5 organizations aren’t going to solve this problem. So, we’re scaling up and taking our Tech4All program and planting them in communities all across Canada to collect the e-waste and refurbish computers.“
Devices that cannot be refurbished or reused are safely recycled in partnership with COM2 Recycling Solutions.
“It’s taking us several years to figure out how we can really solve the problem. Through community efforts, and a partnership with Workhaus and other corporations, we’re building a roadmap on how we can make sure every person who needs a computer in Canada hasa chance to own one.”
Community outreach is vital to the continuing and expanding their operations. They achieve this in part by participating in events like Science Rendezvous. This annual, family-friendly event, is hosted in partnership with the University of Guelph-Humber and Science Rendezvous National. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of science and make it accessible to everyone.
“If we don’t have science, and if we don’t have research, then where’s our growth? Where’s our opportunity? Where’s our advancement?” Alison said. “Through this event, we hope to bring the community together, and raise more awareness about the importance of science and tech equity.”
At this year’s event, Let’s Get Together participated alongside Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Fire Services and Police, SickKids Research, and more. In addition to collecting e-waste, they were able to distribute more than a dozen refurbished computers to the community. They also provided “snack packs” to over 1000 attendees, so everyone can nourish their minds without feeling hungry. “Food security is a big issue.”
It’s not only the attendees who the event made an impact on. One volunteer had this to say: “The environment from the beginning was welcoming and focused on learning. As I was volunteering, I realized many of my transferable skills were developed. Not only did I feel like I was helping the community, but I was also strengthening my own interpersonal abilities at the same time. Overall, being able to participate in an event like this felt incredibly rewarding. This experience taught me about the importance of interpersonal skills in a real-world environment. It also gave me the chance to work with children, which was particularly beneficial for me because I would like to potentially pursue a future career in pediatric medicine and am currently applying for aquatic instructor positions in the area. I plan to volunteer next year, if not earlier, and would highly recommend this experience to others.”
Other LGT community programs and initiatives include:
“You know, I’m one of the people who used to say, if you don’t have a computer, go to the library. Access is not enough. It’s there for a reason, but it’s not the solution. The solution is ownership.”
Over her years with Let’s Get Together, Alison has learned the importance of challenging conventional thinking about digital access. She shared how digital equity goes beyond simply providing access to empowering individuals through ownership. A lack of digital access creates a rarely seen burden that cuts deeper than inconvenience. As Alison told us: “It really also comes down to well-being. The amount of stress, I don’t think it’s captured and recognized well enough right now; specifically the amount of stress people endure on top of daily life. And things like not having access, not having the ability to use tech to book appointments, to check on your medical reports, to communicate with friends… That adds stress.”
Sharing a glimpse into the profound impact she has witnessed firsthand, she highlighted the real and deeply personal struggle towards equity. “I remember one parent, we gave him a computer, and it was for his child. This father broke down in tears in front of me. He said, ‘I just want to provide for my child, and I can’t, and this is so hard. By giving me this computer, I feel proud now that I can help my child see (their) dreams.’ I had never thought of it that way. So all these stories, all these people, people that we meet, they matter. People are at the heart of Let’s Get Together.”
One client family had this to say about the impact Let’s Get Together made in their lives: “Thanks to your support and efforts with Let’s Get Together, we were able to obtain the two laptops we needed for our English classes and for our daughter, who is in high school. Also, thanks to your efforts, we obtained tickets to the Astronomy in Action astronomy event. My children were very happy to attend because they love science. These opportunities are very important to us because we don’t really have the financial resources to obtain these things. We are excited about what will come because we are convinced that you will continue to support us in this new life we are beginning in this beautiful country. I hope that you can continue helping more newcomers, because for newcomers, it means a lot to know that there are people who care about them and want them to be well.”
Another shared this powerful reflection: “Amidst the challenges of starting anew in Canada, I want to express our overwhelming gratitude for the gift of a computer for our children. Knowing that organizations like Let’s Get Together care so deeply about the community fills us with hope for a brighter future. The computer has brought immense joy and opportunity into our home, empowering my daughters to fully participate in their education and explore their passions. Your tireless efforts truly make a life-changing impact on families like ours.”
Stories like these underscore the profound and lasting impact that a simple device can have on an individual’s life and sense of dignity.
We are happy to partner with Let’s Get Together, to provide a tangible way for our community to contribute to digital equity and environmental sustainability. We encourage everyone to donate their unwanted e-waste at the designated drop-off locations within our Workhaus spaces. Your contribution, no matter the age or condition of the device, can make a significant difference.
For old but functional laptops, Workhaus also has a partnership Venture Kids, to give computers to students from Toronto’s under-resourced neighborhoods participating in STEM and entrepreneurship programs. Those looking to donate old but functional laptops should bring them to the front desk. Those looking to dispose of other electronics in any condition can place them in the green Tech4All collection bins. Your contribution, no matter the age or condition of the device, can make a significant difference.
“Every hand counts and no hand is too small.”
–Alison Canning, Executive Director of Let’s Get Together
To learn more about Let’s Get Together or find out how your company can adopt a “Tech4All Hub”, please contact Ali Canning at alison@letsgettogether.ca.
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