How donated iPads are supporting digital literacy across New Brunswick

Building digital literacy within New Brunswick

The donation reflects UFred's belief that digital literacy strengthens communities, especially as technology becomes part of everyday life.

“Technology underpins everything these days,” says Pothier. “Connection, occupation, education, they are all connected digitally now. The sooner you start around safety, proper usage, controls, and the more you teach them when they're young, the more they'll gain the dividends later on.”

The iPads have quickly found their way into programs across both YMCAs.

“At all levels of our organization, we're able to utilize this tremendous gift of technology,” says Darcy Delaney, President and CEO of YMCA Fredericton. “We were thrilled to have the offer of the iPads because, as much as we're using them right now, it's not a line item that we ever would've probably budgeted for.”

“We've never had an iPad donation,” says Shilo Boucher, President and CEO of YMCA Southwestern New Brunswick. “It's something we use every day and it's practical.”

Helping children learn and families stay connected

In YMCA childcare programs, the iPads are helping educators document learning as it happens while keeping families connected to their children's development.

“They document the child's learning,” says Boucher. “We have a technology where we communicate with parents because obviously when your little child is in care, you want to be able to see them and understand what they're learning.”

The devices give educators a secure way to communicate with families while protecting children's privacy.

“Our childcare staff are able to communicate with parents and take pictures using just the iPad,” says Delaney. “So there's no risk of an individual educator using their personal device to take photos.”

Helping newcomers build confidence

For newcomers building a life in a new community, digital literacy can open the door to language learning, employment and a stronger sense of belonging.

“Some of our newcomers come, and they don't have any technology experience,” says Boucher. “We have to use that digital literacy piece to really help them so that they can learn the language, so they can get a job, and that they can really feel part of our community.”

Helping seniors stay connected

Staying connected becomes increasingly important as people age, and digital literacy through the iPad donation is helping make those connections possible.

The iPads support YMCA programs for older adults who may be experiencing isolation. “We try to create that connection point, to really focus in and help seniors who are struggling,” says Boucher. “They bond and make friendships and are active. They start to build a sense of belonging, and they don't feel isolated anymore.”

Supporting stronger community organizations

The YMCAs can deliver programs more effectively behind the scenes and on the front lines thanks to the iPad donation. Across fitness and aquatics programs, the iPads are helping staff deliver services more effectively, from guiding personal training clients through wellness plans to supporting aquatics instruction and record keeping.

The iPads support data collection that helps identify community needs, strengthen funding applications and plan future programs as well. “To understand who the community is and being able to understand the demographics that we're serving, the iPads have served a critical role for us in collecting that information,” says Delaney.

A practical gift with lasting impact

These iPads are not sitting on shelves. They are helping staff serve people more effectively. They are helping families stay connected to their children’s learning. They are helping newcomers learn, access support and feel part of their community. They are helping older adults build belonging. They are helping YMCAs strengthen the communities they serve.

One device at a time, the University of Fredericton hopes this community offering helps create moments of connection and learning that ripple through the province we’re lucky to be part of.

“I hope this is the beginning more than the end,” says Pothier.