Doing Good for Kids


Children at Opokaa'sin enjoying the new IBM Young Explorer workstation.
Children at Opokaa’sin enjoying the new IBM Young Explorer workstation.

IBM Celebrated 10 Year Commitment to Alberta with New Partnership Announcement

On September 18, a very special community event took place in Lethbridge, Alberta (see the event video).

Graciously hosted by the Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society, a leading organization delivering exceptional services to Aboriginal children from across Southern Alberta, the event recognized IBM’s contributions to early childhood learning and Aboriginal achievement across Alberta. The event also celebrated Opokaa’sin as one of 15 incredible non-profit children’s service providers to receive an IBM Young Explorer workstation through the IBM’s KidSmart Program in 2014.

Blackfoot elders with Judy Eng-Hum, Executive Director of Alberta's Promise (left); Mary Jane Loustel, IBM Aboriginal Program Executive (third from right); Tanya Pace Crosschild, Executive Director of Opokaa'sin Early Intervention Society (second from right); and Bernie Kollman, Vice President of Public Sector Alberta, IBM, and Northern Vice-Chair for the Premier's Council on Alberta's Promise (right).
Blackfoot elders with Judy Eng-Hum, Executive Director of Alberta’s Promise (left); Mary Jane Loustel, IBM Aboriginal Program Executive (third from right); Tanya Pace Crosschild, Executive Director of Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society (second from right); and Bernie Kollman, Vice President of Public Sector Alberta, IBM, and Northern Vice-Chair for the Premier’s Council on Alberta’s Promise (right).

A proud partner of Alberta’s Promise since the provincial initiative began in 2003, IBM Canada Ltd. has been supporting the well-being of children and youth through employee volunteering, corporate donations, and local partnerships with non-profit agencies. Since 2007, IBM has donated more than 60 Young Explorer workstations to Alberta’s Promise agency partners across the province. The workstations boast award-winning software in math, science and reading comprehension for children aged three to seven, and are helping give young minds added opportunities to learn, grow and reach their full potential.

IBM Canada Ltd. has been realizing the value of a great investment in Alberta’s children for over a decade. As noted by Bernie Kollman, Vice President of Public Sector Alberta for IBM Canada Ltd. and Northern Alberta Vice-Chair for the Premier’s Council on Alberta’s Promise, “We are celebrating IBM’s ten year commitment to early childhood education and Aboriginal achievement. By providing youngsters’ with access to technology, IBM recognizes the critical importance of keeping the Alberta’s Promise commitment of A Healthy Start”.

Ms. Kollman concluded the event by proudly announcing that IBM Canada Ltd. has partnered with Alberta’s Promise to donate an additional twelve workstations to deserving agencies in Alberta.

(Alberta’s Promise)