{"id":10501,"date":"2025-01-17T01:06:25","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T01:06:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/?page_id=10501"},"modified":"2025-08-29T16:54:43","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T16:54:43","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/?page_id=10501","title":{"rendered":"impact"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-superb-addons-animated-heading superbaddons-animated-heading-block superbaddons-animated-heading-effect2\" id=\"block-4df79862-e0b6-4248-af77-100bd7d0f1a2\" data-animation=\"effect2\" data-animation-speed=\"60\" data-animation-loop=\"true\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">History of the Project<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-mono-1-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ce397403 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-mono-4-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-129f6e7c wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-large);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-small);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-large);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-small)\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; padding-bottom: 45%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 700px; margin: 0 auto;\">\n  <iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dPAjKV3QDgI?si=gHv_f_ssbGavPqEz\"\n          title=\"YouTube video player\"\n          frameborder=\"0\"\n          allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\"\n          referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"\n          allowfullscreen\n          style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\">\n  <\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-25593187 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-a1628350 wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ff697075 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-contrast-color has-text-color has-link-color has-source-sans-pro-font-family wp-elements-9bd99653d4b32e6c1e40b1076b43a035\">Most urban centers in North America have access to quality high-speed Internet connectivity. However, often in low-income pockets of these same cities there are neighbourhoods where residents cannot afford or have other barriers to accessing technology and Internet based resources. The North End of Winnipeg is one of those places. This project aims to identify specific needs and create local resources to overcome these \u201cdigital divides\u201d. This project is a collective effort of several local community groups, technical experts, and researchers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-contrast-color has-text-color has-link-color has-source-sans-pro-font-family wp-elements-0fccb8059b7dae529db23bba09de6cbc\">All participating groups share the belief that there is a problem with their client\u2019s ability to access and safely utilize online resources and services and something needs to be done about it. Research shows that local community network projects can work to address both the technical and human constraints and even provide some local economic development along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-contrast-color has-text-color has-link-color has-source-sans-pro-font-family wp-elements-2981ddd00deb08c3aa0fa4bf8a2a811e\">At this point, we are developing the stakeholders and refining the scope and goals of the project. As we discussed, local, trusted, rooted community groups are needed on the front end to help identify the problem(s), validate assumptions as to the root causes, and advocate for their clients in the development of the plan. These organizations will be those who first benefit from any products and\/or services that this project develops by participating in pilot programs and research.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-superb-addons-animated-heading superbaddons-animated-heading-block superbaddons-animated-heading-effect2\" id=\"block-4df79862-e0b6-4248-af77-100bd7d0f1a2\" data-animation=\"effect2\" data-animation-speed=\"60\" data-animation-loop=\"true\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About The North End Connect Logo<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"831\" height=\"424\" src=\"http:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/northendconnect_icon.png\" alt=\"North End Connect Logo\" class=\"wp-image-10617\" style=\"width:536px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/northendconnect_icon.png 831w, https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/northendconnect_icon-300x153.png 300w, https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/northendconnect_icon-768x392.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 831px) 100vw, 831px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background has-small-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/leticiaspence.ca\/about\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:39px;background-color:#5d4171\">Logo Designer: Leticia Spence<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-source-sans-pro-font-family\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">The North End Connect project Commisioned renowned local Indigenous artist Leticia Spence to create a meaningful symbol to represent the project. The logo utilizes imagery from the Bell Tower on Selkirk Avenue surrounded by a star blanket pattern. The star blanket represents Sky Woman\u2019s agreement with Grandmother Spider to come down and live upon the earth. They are often gifted to people to honour that person, show respect and admiration, and are a tradition built on generosity. The colour palette is rich, with deeper purples and a golden yellow to provide that contrast, highlighting the tower and the tips of the star blanket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-source-sans-pro-font-family\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">The bell, now in the Selkirk Tower, was first purchased in 1877 and served in Winnipeg\u2019s Old Market Square and the City Hall nicknamed the \u201cGingerbread House\u201d for its unique style. For over two decades it rang at noon time, fifteen minutes before stores closed, and fifteen minutes before school started. There were also special occasions such as when the funeral corteges of prominent citizens passed city hall on the way to or from the train station and when political figures died. The bell served as the first form of wireless communication in the city and is an important icon in its new home in the North End.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-superb-addons-animated-heading superbaddons-animated-heading-block superbaddons-animated-heading-effect2\" id=\"block-42bf8ae1-4e87-4544-b910-f17a2677e2b4\" data-animation=\"effect2\" data-animation-speed=\"60\" data-animation-loop=\"true\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Staff Appreciation<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Spotlight: Shanleigh MacKenzie, BA (Hons)<\/strong> <em>Director of Client Services, North End Connect<\/em><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Shanleigh-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11310 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Shanleigh-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Shanleigh-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Shanleigh-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Shanleigh-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Shanleigh.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Shanleigh began her journey with North End Connect through research on digital access in the North End. What started as listening to families, elders, and youth quickly became a mission: ensuring that digital inclusion is about equity, dignity, and connection.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-source-sans-pro-font-family has-small-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-source-sans-pro-font-family\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Empathetic and community-driven, Shanleigh brings patience and determination to her work. From digital skills classes to computer distribution, she has seen how internet access shapes opportunity. She recalls meeting a single mom writing essays on a cracked phone screen and an elder who said,&nbsp;<em>\u201cI thought the internet was only for the young.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;These moments fuel her commitment to building a digital future where everyone feels they belong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-source-sans-pro-font-family\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cMeaningful connectivity isn\u2019t just about having Wi-Fi,\u201d Shanleigh says. \u201cIt\u2019s about the skills, support, and confidence to use technology in ways that enrich your life.\u201dShanleigh believes change is possible because of the determination she sees in the community. Every learner she meets reminds her why this work matters \u2014 and why NEC\u2019s vision of\u00a0<em>a network of humans building a network of computers<\/em>\u00a0is already coming to life in the North End.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"position: relative; padding-bottom: 45%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 700px; margin: 0 auto;\">\n  <iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/F7b7chW39ww?si=x9OrA-_VmbCxeBn-\"\n          title=\"YouTube video player\"\n          frameborder=\"0\"\n          allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\"\n          referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"\n          allowfullscreen\n          style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\">\n  <\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-superb-addons-animated-heading superbaddons-animated-heading-block superbaddons-animated-heading-effect2\" id=\"block-42bf8ae1-4e87-4544-b910-f17a2677e2b4\" data-animation=\"effect2\" data-animation-speed=\"60\" data-animation-loop=\"true\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Intern Success Story<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-source-sans-pro-font-family\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">When Victoria Stevenson started volunteering with North End Connect, she didn\u2019t know it would lead to a life-changing internship. A proud Red River M\u00e9tis youth, she was introduced to the project by her mother, who also volunteers with NEC. Drawn in by the vision of community-owned internet access, hands-on learning, and tangible impact in Winnipeg\u2019s North End, Victoria knew she wanted to do more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11160 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1-1.png 940w, https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1-1-300x251.png 300w, https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1-1-768x644.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>\u201cI just wanted to be part of something bigger than myself,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd North End Connect is exactly that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-source-sans-pro-font-family\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-source-sans-pro-font-family\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Taking a gap before college, Victoria leaned into this opportunity to discover herself\u2014and found more than she expected. She works out of the&nbsp;Computers for Schools Manitoba&nbsp;office daily, where she refurbishes donated desktops and laptops. Her responsibilities include cleaning and repairing equipment, installing hardware, configuring software, and running quality checks to ensure every device is fully functional before it reaches a family in need. She also tracks inventory and recycles unusable parts in an environmentally responsible way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-source-sans-pro-font-family\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cI didn\u2019t think I\u2019d enjoy the technical parts so much\u2014but I do. Learning about networking has been especially exciting. Joel, my supervisor, has taught me so much.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-source-sans-pro-font-family\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Her&nbsp;genuine care for the community&nbsp;brought her here, and her energy landed her in a space where the team is&nbsp;supportive, knowledgeable, and led with heart. That mentorship and teamwork became a foundation for growth. Victoria also participates in weekly field visits to deliver computers to residents\u2014people looking to reconnect with school, work, family, and community. It\u2019s there, face-to-face, that the impact of her work truly sinks in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-source-sans-pro-font-family\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cSeeing their joy and hearing later how the computers changed their lives\u2014that\u2019s when I knew this work matters.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-source-sans-pro-font-family\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Now, with over&nbsp;200 refurbished desktops&nbsp;under her belt, Victoria\u2019s contribution is tangible\u2014and her journey is only beginning. Inspired by what she\u2019s learned, she sees a future where she continues to build skills, give back, and create meaningful change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-source-sans-pro-font-family\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cIt\u2019s uplifting, inspirational, and motivational. I\u2019d tell my younger self, \u2018Just keep going\u2014your life is going to change for the better.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-source-sans-pro-font-family\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">From all of us at North End Connect, we want to say: <strong>Victoria, you are Authentic, Purpose-Driven and Adaptable Learner. Thank you for being part of our community.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"position: relative; padding-bottom: 45%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 700px; margin: 0 auto;\">\n  <iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5RRb_i8Btq4\"\n          title=\"YouTube video player\"\n          frameborder=\"0\"\n          allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\"\n          referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"\n          allowfullscreen\n          style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\">\n  <\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most urban centers in North America have access to quality high-speed Internet connectivity. However, often in low-income pockets of these same cities there are neighbourhoods where residents cannot afford or have other barriers to accessing technology and Internet based resources. The North End of Winnipeg is one of those places. This project aims to identify&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10501","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10501"}],"version-history":[{"count":67,"href":"https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10501\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11318,"href":"https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10501\/revisions\/11318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.northendconnect.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}