On October 19, 2018, TELUS announced the launch of the Future Friendly Foundation to help tackle the social, economic and geographical challenges facing Canada’s disadvantaged youth. “The Friendly Future Foundation will amplify TELUS' legacy of giving and amplify the legacy of caring because we know that there is still so much more that we need to do for the betterment of our fellow citizens,” said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO, TELUS, at the press event.
TELUS is contributing a $120 million dollars to the Future Friendly Foundation, the largest donation ever made by a publicly traded Canadian company in modern history to launch a new independent charitable foundation.
Entwistle shared that in British Columbia, there are 36,000 Canadians living on the streets on any given evening. “There are 350,000 young Canadians in government care and often lacking the support of a family, they experience a traumatic and dislocated transaction into adulthood. The TELUS Foundation will rise to answering these challenges, answering these social problems that we are going to embrace with our innovation, our hearts, intellect, hands, legs and our spirits.”
The TELUS Future Friendly Foundation represents TELUS’ philosophy of ‘we give where we live’ and puts this philosophy into action passionately. “It presents an incredible opportunity for TELUS to build on our team’s longstanding commitment to giving back while further eliminating the barriers that prevent young Canadians from participating fully, from participating securely and responsibly in our digital world,” said Entwistle of the Foundation’s goal.
The Foundation will help youth succeed in the digital world through better access to critical health and educational opportunities. “The Future Friendly Foundation is setting the youth up for success and giving them a friendlier future in our world,” added Entwistle.
BC Premier John Horgan, who was a special guest at the event, congratulated TELUS on this launch. “TELUS with their $120 million dollar contribution to better lives for young people, better lives for communities is truly inspiring,” he said in his speech.
Federal Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and other government members were also present at the media event.
