Join us on September 9 as we cover the evolving roles of technology in bridging the gaps exacerbated by COVID-19. Consider an empathic, AI chatbot that points people facing homelessness to personalized help. Or a digital strategy to support anti-human trafficking measures. What about enhancing the wellbeing of at-risk families through online channels?

From all of the above to getting the corporate sector to chip in time and money, here are some of the ways technology is leveraged to support those most vulnerable:

• Connecting people facing homelessness with 24/7, real-time help (Chalmers app, Ample Labs)
• Rallying support and raising +$200k for those in crisis due to COVID-19 (This, Too, Will Pass Campaign, Communitech)
• Providing pandemic-proof mental health counseling for children and families (Virtual Counselling, Classrooms and Woebot, Carizon)
• Technology supporting survivors of sexual assault (Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region)

Join the webinar with this link

Agenda:

12 - 12:05 pm: Introduction with Iain Klugman

12:06 - 12:15 pm: This Too Shall Pass Campaign: Rallying Support and Raising +$200k for COVID relief -Communitech, Iain Klugman

12:16- 12:25 pm: Providing Pandemic-proof Mental Health Counseling for Children and Families - Carizon, Tracy Elop

12:26 - 12:35 pm: #MeToo and Technology: Supporting Survivors of Sexual Assault - Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, Sara Casselman

12:36 - 12:45 pm: Chalmers: Connecting People Facing Homelessness with 24/7, Real-time Help - Ample Labs, CG Chen

12:46 - 12:50 pm: Tech for Good Survey (Important)

12:51 - 1 pm: Q&A with Panel

Presenter Details:

Name: Iain Klugman

Title: CEO of Communitech

Bio: Iain Klugman is the President & CEO of Communitech. Before joining Communitech in 2004, Iain's career spanned leadership roles in the private and public sectors, including Director of Global Branding and Advertising for Nortel, Executive Director of Communications with the CBC, CEO of Ontario Tourism, and roles with the Privy Council Office and Industry Canada.

Speaking on: This Too Shall Pass Campaign, Rallying Support and Raising +$200k for COVID relief

Connect with Iain on Twitter: @iainklugman

Connect with Iain on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/iain-klugman

Name: CG Chen

Title: CEO of Ample Labs

Bio: Before Ample, CG was at ecobee designing mobile experiences for IoT devices and before that Tulip designing enterprise software for luxury retailers like Chanel, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, and Frank & Oak. CG is a community builder, she cares about building a more inclusive, accessible and equitable tech sector that includes the most marginalized and vulnerable.

Speaking on: Chalmers, Connecting People Facing Homelessness with Personalized Help

According to Stats Canada, 1 in 10 Canadians will face homelessness in their lifetime. With COVID19, more people are at risk than ever. What most people don’t realize is that 94% of people facing homelessness have phones and use them as a lifeline. CG will show how Chalmers, an AI-powered chatbot has been helping people facing homelessness, first responders and social workers access help faster.

Connect with CG on Twitter: @sizhee

Connect with CG on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cgchen1

Name: Tracy Elop

Title: CEO of Carizon

Bio: Tracy is the CEO of Carizon Family and Community Services, a community mental health and wellbeing organization. Before joining Carizon, Tracy worked as the COO and CFO of KidsAbility. Tracy also served as Chair of the Board of Directors of Grand River Hospital and is a partner in Social Venture Partners Waterloo Region, an organization that works to strengthen non-profits and tackle community-wide social challenges.

Speaking on: Providing Pandemic-proof Mental Health supports for Children and Families

Prior to the pandemic, statistics indicated that one in five people will suffer from mental health challenges. The pandemic brought us unprecedented social isolation, uncertainty and anxiety and, with that, a significant increase in the mental health needs that is continuing to grow. Tracy will share how Carizon has leveraged technology in multiple ways to virtually support the mental health needs of children and families in our community.

Connect with Tracy on Twitter @tracyelop

Connect with Tracy on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracy-elop

Name: Sara Casselman

Title: Executive Director of Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region

Bio: Sara Casselman is the Executive Director at the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region. Her twitter profile says she’s a community-builder, feminist, advocate, maker, wanderer, runner, and lover of justice and kindness. Sara has worked to address gender-based violence locally since 2002. Driven by the belief that social change is possible, she’s passionate addressing systems that perpetuate inequalities and violence. In 2018, she was honoured to be selected as a recipient of the Mayor’s City Builder Awards in Kitchener.

Speaking on: #MeToo and Technology to Support Survivors of Sexual Assault

In the post-#MeToo era, the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region was already facing an unprecedented level of demand for their services. To add to this, during large-scale crises, violence against women is known to increase. Sara will share how her team is leveraging technology to ensure survivors of sexual assault, sex trafficking, and domestic violence in our community get the support they need during this challenging time.

Connect with Sara on Twitter: @SaraJCasselman

Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/saracasselman