The Kids, Cops & Computers program began 1998 in Regent Park. Merry Go Round Children’s Foundation provided brand new computers, monitors and printers and Rogers donated internet connections.

The Kids, Cops & Computers program began in 1998 in Regent Park. Merry Go Round Children’s Foundation provided brand new computers, monitors and printers and Rogers donated internet connections. Financially disadvantaged kids connected with 51 Division police officers who became an “eBuddy” and emailed each other weekly.

Kids, Cops & Computers is a corporate - community partnership with a goal to improve student outcomes for financially disadvantaged youth in Toronto by providing them a new computer, Internet access, ebuddy mentoring, training and support.

Merry Go Round Children’s Foundation works closely with the Toronto District and Toronto Catholic District School Boards who identify high priority schools where the principal and teachers select students for the program.

Once the students are selected and their computer is installed in their home, the next step is to meet their police “eBuddy”. Toronto Police Service has been an integral part of the program for many years.

"I was happy to see you.... when my friends said your officer is cool i felt like i had the best officer in the world!"

Police officers donate their time as an “eBuddy”. The officer and student commit to email each other once a week. This interaction builds a friendship, mutual respect, and learning opportunities - in both directions. The officers have the opportunity to mentor their eBuddy while demonstrating they are “real” people who happen to wear a uniform. There are over 180 officers acting as an eBuddy today!

Each student in the Kids, Cops & Computers program receives a cable Internet line in their home provided by Rogers. To maintain the Internet connection, program participants fulfill various requirements including weekly emails with their eBuddy and demonstrating how they have used the computer on two school projects.