Back Home

In the News

The following is an article published in the March 2004 edition of Broadband Properties, a magazine distributed by the US Post Office to 17,000 subscribers each month.  This magazine's Website is www.broadbandproperties.com 

Partnering with Senior Connects or Senior Net – a Method to Increase Senior Housing Internet Penetration by up to 20%

Senior citizens represent a significant opportunity for Internet Service Providers because they enjoy accessing the Net as most Netizens do; and they especially value receiving the latest pictures of their grandchildren, researching health topics, and sending and receiving emails to and from their friends and family members.  Mobility-impaired senior citizens are especially loyal Net customers and use the Internet “to expand their world.”  And yet Internet penetration remains abysmally low in many senior housing facilities, and the usual marketing campaigns and “call to action” tactics often prove to be ineffective.   
Marketing to seniors requires a value approach, and operators that invest a little creativity can be richly rewarded by significant increases in Internet penetration from both loyal and happy customers.
Obtaining a computer is usually not an impediment for a senior citizen since their adult children often encourage parents to begin using the Internet by offering to purchase a computer for them.  However, the most significant barrier that operators must overcome is identifying a “kinder and gentler” program that is geared toward seniors and will teach them how to use a computer and access the Net.  Until many seniors are comfortable that they will be able to understand how to use the Internet – they will not purchase the service – no matter how compelling an offer may be.   Senior-oriented training programs are not core competencies of ISPs, and some seniors are uncomfortable receiving training directly from a company attempting to sell them a product. 
 

One particularly effective solution is to partner with a local service organization comprised of volunteers and not associated with the ISP that focuses on teaching senior citizen computer and Internet skills.   Two of the organizations that promote senior citizen computer and Internet literacy are Senior Net and Senior Connects.  These companies apply very different tactics to assist seniors. 
Senior Net (www.seniornet.org) is a national organization staffed by senior citizens that offer various educational programs that include computer and Internet training.  They have facilities in 240 localities within the United States and other countries.  Some states are very well represented and have more than a dozen Senior Net offices, while other states are less well represented and have only one or two offices, sometimes in relatively small and isolated communities.  A first step is for ISPs to visit Senior Net's website to check their learning center listing to determine if these locations matches your ISP's footprint. 
Over 4,500 individuals work at Senior Net as instructors, coaches, administrators, web site discussion leaders, and volunteers.  Sometimes, seniors feel especially comfortable interacting with and learning from other seniors – and Senior Net uses this to promote senior literacy. Training is consistent and follows a standardized lesson plan.  Senior Net's is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization of computer–using adults, aged 50 and older.  Senior Net's portal offers information that ranges from citizenship to philosophy and includes discussion groups.
Seniors interested in attending a class first pay an annual $40 dollar fee to join Senior Net and then pay additional modest fees to attend each class.  While Senior Net is an outstanding program for individuals that have already purchased Internet connectivity, even modest annual dues and class fees will reduce participation by seniors that have not yet made a decision subscribe to an online service.  Also, some seniors will not subscribe to an online service until they've completed the classes and are comfortable that the monthly Internet fee would be of good value to them.  Classes are conducted in training facilities maintained by Senior Net which ensures seniors use modern equipment in a consistent environment; however, some seniors occasionally find it difficult to attend meetings outside their facility, and this may reduce the number of participants that sign up for a course.      
Each Senior Net facility is managed by volunteers that will likely be very interested in working with ISPs seeking to promote senior citizen literacy.  However, the most effective approach of partnering with Senior Net might be to pay for a new customers' first year of membership and computer training class so the senior citizens has comfort that they will be able to use the Internet service that they are purchasing.  Senior Net gratefully accepts donations that are made to the corporation itself and uses these funds to enhance and expand the services that they offer.  
 

Senior Connects volunteers adopt a facility and teach from within the senior housing itself

Senior Connects (www.seniorconnects.org) shares the same objective of promoting senior citizen literacy, but uses a very different approach.  Senior Connects is a national not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that is youth-managed and conducts its training directly inside the senior housing facilities.  There are no charges to either residents or facilities using this program; its instructors are high school and college students interested in performing community outreach service projects.  Sometimes, senior citizens are somewhat technophobic and are fearful that they will be unable to understand how to use a computer – a significant cause of low penetration is senior housing.  When a student “adopts” a senior housing facility, many seniors view them as “surrogate grandkids” and feel comfortable receiving computer and Internet lessons from them.  Training for residents without any computer experience includes lessons on basic computer skills, an introduction to the Internet, a class on search, and lessons on email use.  The Senior Connects methodology ensures a consistent level of training and collateral handout materials. 
  
Senior Connects volunteers adopt a facility and teach from within the senior housing itself
Senior Connects is a more intimate experience when compared to many others programs since volunteers typically spend several months helping at each “adopted” senior housing facility and become known to many of the residents.  Often, the facilities invite the volunteers to have lunch with the residents to promote the relationships. 
When Senior Connects does not have volunteers in a specific community, they will contact the public library and community outreach organizations and establish a group a volunteers to “adopt” senior housing facilities.  Senior Connects is a program that is especially effective of helping seniors overcome fear of computers and the Internet, and feel more comfortable about making a purchase decision.  While the volunteers are not adults and are high school and college students, all individuals under the age of 18 choose an adult “mentor” to help guide them with their community service.  Volunteers are approved by each Senior Housing management's staff.

Senior Connects emphasizes a one-on-one training approach to facilitate senior learning ISPs can partner with Senior Connects by donating a computer for use in the senior housing's public area – or by making a donation to the corporation itself so they can procure computers.  However, Senior Connects emphasized that it will establish programs wherever requested at no cost to anyone and merely as a community service project.  
Improving Internet penetration in senior housing has been problematic to ISPs because seniors often require a compelling value proposition to justify making a monthly financial commitment of this nature.  Some seniors choose not to subscribe to an ISP's service because they are not confident that they will be able to master the computer – despite the fact that many of their families are encouraging them to become connected and offer to purchase them computers. 
Senior Net and Senior Connects are two excellent not-for-profit organizations that promote senior citizen Net literacy and increase the demand for online service.  Partnering with one – or both – of these organizations can increase public awareness for the ISPs, enhance their public image, and increase the number of Internet customers.  Additional information and contact information can be obtained by visiting both companies'

Tech-savvy teens teach computers to seniors
Senior Connects plugs residents into e-mail, Internet
By Michelle Browning
Michelle Browning@Topics.com
May 27, 2004

 

INDIANAPOLIS -- Several weeks ago, Helen Lenke barely knew how to turn on a computer.
Now the senior citizen is sending e-mails to everyone she knows and plans to start shopping on the Internet.
"I've added another dimension to my life," says Lenke, a resident of Sunrise Senior Living's Forum at the Crossing in Indianapolis. "Everything these days is computerized, and I've always felt left out. But now, I'm not anymore."
Lenke owes her newfound computer savvy to teenagers. They operate a group called Senior Connects, started by Daniel Kent, a high school freshman.
The enterprising youth already has plans to take his program to the international forum. Last year, he was named one of Indiana's top-two middle school volunteers of the year, and he's going for more.
Senior Connects sends volunteers to retirement communities to teach residents everything from how to turn the computer on and how to maneuver the mouse to printing, e-mailing and searching the Internet.
Kent also hopes to establish computer labs in senior communities. The adults are on board, too: The Carmel library donated its training manual, and a local company donated computers.
The Carmel teen, who attends Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, got the idea for Senior Connects after helping in similar work with seniors at the Carmel Clay Public Library. He wanted to expand his help to older people who couldn't make it to the library.
"For those that find themselves somewhat shut in, their world seems to become a little smaller," Kent said. "When seniors are able to access the Internet to e-mail family members, get pictures of the grandkids, research health issues and check on the news, their world becomes a little larger. So I thought, why not bring computers to them?"
Kent and two friends, Carmel High School freshmen Kyle Egbert and Matt May, run the classes on Saturdays. This summer, they hope to expand to weekday classes and get more volunteers. Kent said he already has several other kids interested.
They keep the classes small, usually one or two seniors per instructor.
In teaching, they stress repetition and simplicity and use large fonts on the screen. They get to know their senior students, to ease any intimidation.
A recent class had Sunrise at the Forum's Jane Wright learning to use the mouse by playing solitaire on computer.
Wright says she always thought computers "weren't what they're cracked up to be," but she's coming around.
She hopes to learn enough to be able to e-mail her granddaughter.
Fellow resident Edward Grinnan said he wants to be able to buy event tickets on the Internet. He first used a computer back in 1985 for work, but retired that same year and hadn't used a computer since. He said he finds them "impersonal," but "my daughter and nieces and nephews say I need a computer so I can e-mail them, so I'm giving in."
Kent has high hopes to expand Senior Connects nationally and internationally, via a Web site to help other students start teaching in their own communities. There's advice on getting started, form letters to send to retirement facilities and tips on how to run a successful class. Kent is also writing a manual on teaching computer skills.
He's applied for grants and is considering a scholarship that would reward a student for his volunteer work.
Daniel's father, Don Kent, thinks what his son is doing is terrific.
"It's an opportunity to give back to the community," he said. "It teaches (the volunteers) leadership skills."
Helen Lenke, for one, is grateful to Kent and the other volunteers for being patient "with us old people."
In just a few short weeks, she's gained a lot of knowledge. She's already getting complaints from her grandchildren that she's not e-mailing them enough.
How to help
To become a volunteer with Senior Connects, e-mail join@seniorconnects.org For more information about the organization, visit www.seniorconnects.org
Got old computers?
Anyone interested in donating old computers, monitors and printers to Senior Connects can drop them off at City Hall in Carmel from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. June 14-18. Go to the lobby and the receptionist will direct you where
to take the equipment.
 

One Civic Square Carmel, IN 46032

Contact: Nancy Heck 
E-Mail: nheck@ci.carmel.in.us
Phone: (317) 571-2494
Cell: (317) 431-5393

Nancy Heck 
The Department of Community Relations

City of Carmel

One Civic Square Carmel, IN 46032

NEWS RELEASE

Date:          July 1, 2004 
Contact:     Nancy Heck (317) 571-2494
Release:     Immediate

Community Shows Strong Support of Computer Drive       
Carmel, IN - After a week of accepting used computers at City Hall, a local not-for-profit group, Senior Connects, collected more than 100 computers from June 14-18. Senior Connects is a youth-run organization that helps to provide computers and training to local retirement homes and independent living facilities. Daniel Kent, the founder of the organization, came up with the idea when he discovered that many senior citizen centers did not provide access to computers.

Senior Connects periodically holds computer drives, like the one held in June, although computer donations are always welcomed. Kent approached the City of Carmel and asked to use City Hall as a drop-off point for the first collection drive. "The City allowed Senior Connects to use City Hall for a drop-off point. It really helped to contribute to the success of the drive because it gave it credibility. Also, businesses around the city came together to help distribute flyers for the event. It was great to see everyone working together," Don Kent, Daniel's father, said.

To date, the organization has raised over 200 computers, which are currently in the process of being upgraded and reformatted by Senior Connects volunteer Kyle Egbert. They will then be placed in facilities where classes will be provided to train the residents how to communicate with friends and family and check for recent news and medical information. Information about this organization is available at www.seniorconnects.org.

"The City of Carmel came together to help support this program to benefit our senior citizens. Carmel's population has the highest percentage of seniors in Hamilton County, so it makes sense for us to support this program to help seniors stay connected through the Internet and e-mail. We were glad to be a part of the process, by providing a safe convenience place for computers to be dropped off," Mayor Jim Brainard said.

July 7, 2004
Computers for seniors
Senior Connects, a local nonprofit, youth-run organization, collected more than 100 computers at Carmel City Hall during a benefit drive June 14-18.
The organization, founded by Daniel Kent, provides computers and training to those in retirement homes, senior centers and independent living facilities.
Computers will be placed in facilities where classes will be provided to train residents to communicate with e-mail. They also will learn to search for news about medical and other needs.
For information about the organization, visit its Web site at www.seniorconnects.org.

The founder of Our Family's Webpage (our Your Family's Web Page) has taken great effort in working with and getting to know the different agencies and groups responsible for assisting and supporting those living in their Golden Years.  If you get a chance, please visit Your Family's Web Page and consider the many uses and how you and your family can enjoy an easy and secure way for all of you to communicate.  You can share photos of the latest family outing or new arrivals, learn what the kids are up to, or you can use it to chat, plan events, leave messages and even share files. 
You may be thinking "I, my parent or grandparent doesn't have access to the Internet or is not confident enough using a computer."  Well, there are services out there which assist with this and we would like to present two of the most prominent below.  Even if you don't use our service, being able to communicate through the Web, gaining information on health issues and pharmaceuticals and the opportunity to open up many windows to the world will make life much easier, interesting and enjoyable. 
Aside from having access to a wealth of all this information and news, this may aid one in staying mentally active. Almost everything we do, have done or are involved with in life is right there and wouldn't it be great to stay aware and current on those things which are and have been a part of our lives.  And for those less mobile, this could be even more useful.
Senior Net is a national (non-profit) organization staffed by senior citizens which offers various educational programs that include computer and Internet training. They have 240 locations throughout the U.S., with over 4500 individuals working as administrators, instructors, coaches, leaders and volunteers. They can be found at www.seniornet.org.
SeniorConnects (www.seniorconnects.org) shares the same objective, but with a different approach.  This not-for-profit organization is youth-managed and provides training directly at senior housing facilities and there is no charge for facilities using the program.  Its instructors are high school and college students interested in performing community outreach service projects.  When a student "adopts" a senior housing facility, many seniors view them as "surrogate grandkids" and feel comfortable receiving Internet and computer training from them.
I remember a project we had been running for many years in my high school Key Club.  We would go to a particular seniors facility and spend several hours with the residents.  This was way before anyone was concerned with computers, but we always looked forward to this and had a fantastic time.  We were the number one Key Club in community service in our area for 16 years and quite active, but we never had a shortage of volunteers for this.  You wouldn't believe the smiles, conversations and laughs we had back then during these visits.
I don't know if we were a welcome distraction, another gullible ear to bend or just some young and energetic teenagers that livened up the place for awhile.  In a similar way, having access to the Internet and the assistance and training to do so, along with this human interaction, whether with peers or the next generation of computer gurus, may bring a new focus and add a little spark to the daily routine.    
Below are several recommendations we feel relevant to seniors and most anyone regarding personal computing and the Internet.  Please refer to other topics throughout this section page, particularly Safety.  
Before we get started, if you are the loved one or a caring friend of a senior and you believe they may need guidance or assistance with initiating or carrying out any of these tasks, please do so or contact one of the organizations list below for assistance.
SeniorNet
SeniorsConnect
Seniors World Network
Senior Navigator

Teens' company keeps seniors connected

Students' nonprofit corporation helps retirees learn Internet and computer skills.

By William J. Booher
July 17, 2004
 
 

Daniel Kent and his teenage friends are helping dozens of computer-wary retirees in Central Indiana solve the mysteries of the Internet -- and in the process, bridge some of the generation gap as well.
What began as a volunteer service project for the high school sophomore has grown into a full-fledged corporation, matching retirees with a growing number of teenagers willing to teach them about computers.
"These kids are absolutely great," said Edward Grinnan, a retired biochemist who speaks enthusiastically of Daniel, the founder of Senior Connects, who has given him one-on-one instruction.
Daniel, 15, is one of 11 teenagers who make up the advisory board for Senior Connects, a nonprofit corporation he founded in January. More teens are becoming interested.
"I don't have so much concern for our country," said the 81-year-old Grinnan, "when kids are raised like that."
Census data and other studies show people over 65 are less than half as likely as other age groups to own computers or use the Internet.
Daniel, a student at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, saw an unmet need about two years ago when he was giving computer instruction to older adults in a class at Carmel Clay Public Library.
"A gentleman who I was helping told me he had a friend confined to a wheelchair who was interested in the Internet," said Daniel. The man's friend was unable to come to the class.
Daniel checked and could find no one delivering computer instruction to people in retirement homes or assisted-living centers.
He and computer-savvy friends Kyle Egbert and Matthew May, both Carmel High School sophomores, soon were contacting retirement communities.
Making connections
They reached out to businesses, too, seeking donations of computer terminals and accessories. Daniel and his friends have collected more than 250 terminals, including 80 that recently were used by the Carmel Clay Public Library.
Most of the computers are outdated, but Kyle is experienced at getting them cleaned up and reprogrammed.
"I get off the dirt and get them sanitized," he said. "I go through and wipe out the drives and get rid of all information. I start with a clean slate and install our version of Windows."
Senior Connects offers lessons on Saturdays at two independent and assisted-living centers -- Forum at the Crossing, 8505 Woodfield Crossing Blvd. on the Northeastside, where Grinnan lives, and ManorCare at Summer Trace, 12999 N. Pennsylvania St. in Carmel.
The nonprofit corporation also plans to offer lessons at Rosewalk on Main, a Carmel apartment complex for people 55 and older, and to any other willing retirement centers in Central Indiana.
Daniel's father, Don Kent, drives the teen computer instructors to their lesson sites.
"When the kids walk in, they already begin to smile," he said of residents at the centers.
Kyle said Senior Connects refuses any payment, but "some of them do bake cookies and give them to us."
They've got mail
Kristin Darko, resident service coordinator at Forum at the Crossing, said that while some residents already had some basic computer knowledge, "some didn't know how to get on the Internet or even turn on the computer.
"Daniel was very patient with them. He showed them and wrote down instructions."
The pupils have learned more about using e-mail to keep in touch with relatives and friends, play computer games such as Solitaire and call up information on the Internet.
Daniel and his 10 friends on the Senior Connects advisory board get no class credit for their efforts.
At both retirement homes, Senior Connects has provided a main computer terminal available to all residents, as well as smaller terminals for teaching purposes.
Both the Forum and ManorCare pay the monthly Internet and e-mail access costs, but Daniel's group has offered to tap its fund-raising skills to pay those costs for any interested facilities that can't afford them.
At ManorCare Grayce Cobel, 86, has just begun an intermediate class from Senior Connects.
"We know enough to stay out of trouble," she said.
But her classmate, Jody Scott, 82, added: "We still have questions. These boys are just great."
Call Star reporter William Booher at (317) 444-2607.
 

PC News  COMPUTER CLASSES TEACH SOMETHING TO EVERYONE

Senior Connects hopes to collect 1,000 computers by May 2005. The drop-off point for used Pentium I or newer computers is PrimeLife Enrichment, 1078 Third Ave. S.W., in Carmel.
To inquire about donating computers or having a computer lab installed, send an e-mail or write to Daniel Kent, Senior Connects, 14044 Honey Tree Drive, Carmel, IN 46032.
A year and a half after the Carmel youth found a need for computer literacy among older people, he and his friends have collected nearly 600 computers, opened computer labs in Carmel, Indianapolis and Westfield senior-living facilities, and enlisted 20 student volunteers who spend their Saturdays teaching computer classes.
Kent was moved when he learned about a homebound person who could not attend computer classes at Carmel Clay Public Library, where he sat on the Teen Library Council. He called 20area nursing homes to find out if there was a need for computer classes.
With that, he rounded up a handful of friends to start Senior Connects, an organization run solely by kids. The group developed a four- to five-month program, with lessons geared at a comfortable pace for students -- some as old as 90 – in one-on-one settings.
"When I started, I thought I'd be giving, brightening someone's day," Kent said. "As it turns out, I’ve gotten as much and more than I've given."
Kent feels the same way. So does his buddy Stafford Brunk, a Carmel High School sophomore and one of five core members who helped form Senior Connects. He admits that when Kent pitched the idea, he thought, "Oh."
"Some people think older people are clueless. But when we go (to senior facilities), there are a lot of really sharp people there. It's always fun."
Computer student Helen Lenke lives at Forum at the Crossing on Indianapolis Northeast side and always has cookies ready for the Senior Connects tutors. That's because they refused to take cash tips or restaurant gift certificates.
Thanks to that patience, lots of pictures are now zipping through cyberspace in e-mails between 85-year-old Lenke an other children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
"It's added a whole new dimension to my life," she said, adding that her teachers "make you realize the younger generation are a great bunch of kids."
Kent, now a sophomore at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, spearheaded early on a successful drive to involve business and civic leaders, going all the way to City Hall to enlist support. Hundreds of computers were dropped off by individuals, groups and businesses at City Hall, with the blessing of Mayor Jim Brainard.
He has watched the young people involved. "It’s encouraging and uplifting to see their energy and initiative," Brainard said. "It provides great hope for the future."

Wed, 13 Oct 2004
 

Technology trash becomes treasure
 
By Andy Glaser <aglaser@hilite.org>
 
Sophomore Matthew May talks about Senior Connects
 
What is the name of this organization?
Senior Connects.

How did you get into refurbishing computers?
We started Senior Connects, which is an organization that helps senior citizens with their computers skills, and we ended up doing a lot of drives because we didn't have many computers. So what we ended up doing was going to the Carmel (Public) Library and started getting computers, and then we started working to refurbish them.

Whom are these computers for?
They're for senior citizens and also for kids.

Do you teach them how to use the computers?
We teach them basic skills on computers, we also teach them how to use the Internet.

What are these computers mainly used for?
Really whatever the seniors like. It's mostly just for e-mail. That would be the big one for senior citizens.

What types of computers are refurbished?
Desktops. We're big on PCs, Windows, Pentiums, those kinds of computers.

What is the process of refurbishing them?
A lot of them are older, so first we have to clean them. Then we have to go through and delete files. It's a requirement that we delete everything that the person had on before. And then we go through and we have programs that we put on the computers that we set up. We try to make them user-friendly for senior citizens, with bigger icons, a bigger mouse, just anything so that they can see well.

How much does it cost per computer?
For us, since we're a not-for-profit, we don't have to worry about too much cost. They're all donated, and we got 16 from the library not too long ago.

How long have you been doing this?
I've been doing it since the end of the school year last year.

What is your favorite part about this organization?
The best part is probably helping people in general because once they learn something, they remember it and they get better at it. When you see them happy, you feel a little better inside.

What is your least favorite part about this organization?
Because there's a lot of movement, we're not very organized. We go to three senior citizen homes and sometimes there are people who aren't there, some who are there and it's just pretty disorganized sometimes.

How many people are involved?
Three of us are there pretty much every single time, and then we usually have at least two other people there just some other people that are in this program. It's usually about five or six at a time.

How can others get involved?
You can contact me, or we have a website, www.seniorconnects.org, or you can contact (Sophomore) Kyle Egbert. He's another person that works for it.

How much time do you spend on this per week?
We go every Saturday. We used to go for about five hours then we cut it down to three.

Where does this refurbishing take place?
We originally started in the Forum at Keystone. We're now working at Summer Trace behind Meijer, and we're also working at Rose Walk, which is right next to Carmel Middle School.

Where do the computers come from?
They all come from donations.

What do you plan on studying in college?
Most people don't know what this is, but I want to become an epidemiologist, which is probably one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet because what they do is they study diseases. With all these outbreaks, you have to go there and wear these big biohazard suits and stuff.

Do you plan on doing anything with computers as a career?
Epidemiology uses a lot with computers. I'm not going to go into an actually computer career, but I'm probably going to have to use them along with my job.

More about Matthew

The basics:
Full name: Matthew Douglas May
Birthplace: Trenton, NJ
Date of birth: March 15, 1989
Mother's name and profession: Marjorie May, consultant
Father's name and profession: Ronald May, shipping consultant
Sibling's name and age: no siblings
Favorite movie: "Jurassic Park"
Favorite color: green
Favorite food: popcorn
Favorite class: biology
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Favorite book: October Sky
Favorite sport: biking

Five things you would never know about Matthew May:
He was born on the Ides of March.
He has a cat named Slick.
He is a movie buff.
He used to live in New Jersey.
He has a swimming pool.


 

Exemplary youth
Teens and seniors plugging in
Computer classes teach something to the young instructors and to their older students.
 
By Leslie Collins
Star correspondent
October 14, 2004
 

Kyle Egbert (from left), Daniel Kent and Stafford Brunk, all 16, are refurbishing donated computers and teaching senior citizens how to use them. About 20 middle and high school students teach seniors -- and learn from them, participants say. -- Rich Miller / The Star

Daniel Kent's heart for older people has transformed lives. A year and a half after the Carmel youth found a need for computer literacy among older people, he and his friends have collected nearly 600 computers, opened computer labs in Carmel, Indianapolis and Westfield senior-living facilities, and enlisted 20 student volunteers who spend their Saturdays teaching computer classes. Kent was moved when he learned about a homebound person who could not attend computer classes at Carmel Clay Public Library, where he sat on the Teen Library Council. He called 20 area nursing homes to find out if there was a need for computer classes. "I found that most facilities would be interested," said Kent, 16. With that, he rounded up a handful of friends to start Senior Connects, an organization run solely by kids. The group developed a four- to five-month program, with lessons geared at a comfortable pace for students -- some as old as 90 -- in one-on-one settings. "When I started, I thought I'd be giving, brightening someone's day," Kent said. "As it turns out, I've gotten as much and more than I've given." One teen volunteer, whose grandparents had died, put it this way: "When I'm here volunteering, I feel closer to my grandparents." Kent feels the same way. So does his buddy Stafford Brunk, a Carmel High School sophomore and one of five core members who helped form Senior Connects. He admits that when Kent pitched the idea, he thought, "Oh." His outlook has changed.

Topics Newspapers
October 14, 2004
CARMEL -- Senior Connects, a youth-managed company that promotes computer literacy to senior citizens and sets up computer labs in independent and assisted-living facilities, has set up computer labs in facilities around Carmel.
Organizers said Senior Concepts is looking to expand and donate free computers to area senior-citizen centers.
In recent months, Senior Connects has received 100 computers from its drop-off site at PrimeLife Enrichment.
Volunteers check the computers and remove old data and viruses.
Senior Connects volunteers will deliver and set up computers and provide instructional materials. The facility must provide a desk and Internet access, if desired.
To order a computer, e-mail Senior Connects at computerneeds@seniorconnects.org
Include the name, street address, e-mail address, county and phone number of the facility; the administrator's title; and the number of residents at the facility. Those without e-mail can send a letter to: Daniel Kent, Senior Connects, 14044 Honey Tree Drive, Carmel, IN 46032.
Carmel student Daniel Kent founded Senior Connects. Students from several area high schools are volunteers.
In addition to building computer labs, six to eight volunteers teach computer and Internet skills each weekend to mobility-impaired residents without reliable transportation and other seniors at independent and assisted-living facilities.
Senior Connects also has these programs under way:
• Middle and high schools, churches and other organizations interested in adopting a local facility by teaching seniors computer and Internet skills can e-mail danielkent@seniorconnects.org
• Individuals interested in donating computers that are Pentium I or more recent can drop them off 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays at Prime Life Enrichment, 1078 Third Ave. SW.
 

Announcing the 2005 Do Something BRICK Award winners!

Check out our 9 incredible BRICK Award winners from across the nation. Each will receive $10,000 in scholarships & grants in recognition of their amazing community work & leadership:

Welland Burnside: Suitcases for Kids (16 yrs old):
With a Do Something grant 9 years ago, started a not-for-profit to give suitcases to foster kids so they wouldn't have to carry stuff in garbage bags. Today, program is in 50 states & 78 countries.

Katherine Chon: Polaris Project (24 yrs old):
Started program to combat human trafficking by organizing the first US Congressional Briefing on Sex Trafficking, creating a sex trafficking curriculum, and training over 80 community leaders.

Lindsay Hyde: Strong Women, Strong Girls (22 yrs old):
Overcame an eating disorder; started a group focused on helping young girls with their self-esteem. Created a curriculum to train college women to mentor elementary school girls.

Geneva Johnson: Bring It On! (16 yrs old):
Her Bronx community is a hotspot for drugs & crime; started not-for-profit to galvanize local youth & provide alternatives to illegal activities. Gets hundreds of kids involved in service projects.

Anders Jones: Teens for Technology (17 yrs old):
Started a not-for-profit to put computer labs in Jamaican schools. TFT has already put labs in 100 schools in its first year of operation.and there are only 752 schools in all of Jamaica.

Daniel Kent: Senior Connects (16 yrs old):
Saw that senior citizens were lonely & isolated; started program to teach them computer literacy. Provided computer access to 61 independent/assisted living facilities with 10,076 residents.

Jenessa Largent: Harms Way 4 Kids (13 yrs old):
Uncle was deployed to Iraq in 2003; started program to make a bracelet for every family member and troop deployed around the world so they'll always be reminded that Americans support them.

Richard Ludlow: Students for Organ Donation (19 yrs old):
After witnessing his aunt waiting for a kidney for 8 years, he decided to start a national student-run not-for-profit to promote organ donation awareness and registration.

Waco Phipps: Farm Safety Awareness (17 yrs old):
Had a serious farm accident that nearly cost him his life; created FSA to help prevent the 32,800 annual youth farm injuries. Had Governor declare a Rural Health & Safety Week.

You can also check out the eighteen 2005 BRICK Awards finalists.

Also serving Zionsville

Neighbors

December 31, 2004

Stafford Brunk
Age: 16.
Family: Parents, Glen and Cynthia Brunk; brothers Griffin, 13, Galen, 10; sister, Aleenak, 7.
Pets: Katie, English bull terrier.
Residence: Coppergate in Carmel, Hamilton County.
School: Sophomore at Carmel High School.
Accomplishments: A board member at Senior Connects, he donates many of his Saturdays building computers and helping teach senior citizens in Indianapolis and Hamilton County how to use a computer and access the Internet. Senior Connects (www.seniorconnects .org) helps promote computer and Internet literacy among seniors so they can better keep in contact with their friends and family members and access the Web to improve the quality of their life.
Best thing about working with seniors: "Just to see their faces the first time they send an e-mail. It has to be one of the best feelings in the world."
Favorite subject: Computer science.
Favorite teacher: Chuck Koeppen, physical education, who also coaches track and cross country.
People you would most want to have dinner with: "My family."
Favorite movie: "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi."
One thing most people probably don't know about you: "I've been to Japan."
At school: Honor student; track, cross country.
People you most admire and why: "My parents. They are very good people and care a lot about their friends and family."
Hobbies: Computers and model trains.
Most embarrassing moment: "Rehearsing a speech for my English class almost to the point it drove everyone nuts and then getting up in front and forgetting it all."
Plans for the future: "College for a master's degree; don't know after that."

Learning the language Program helps seniors break the technology barrier By Katie Wampler | Staff writer

Photo by Robert Herrington | Jim Bond watches as Brebeuf freshman Brian Kelly instructs him on different computer programs Monday afternoon at PrimeLife Enrichment

Forget the stereotypical image of an 80-year-old man stubbornly refusing to be within 10 feet of a computer. If one thing can be said about today's senior citizens and computer technology, it is that they refuse to be pigeonholed. Some are technological savants, while others remain blissfully ignorant of all things World Wide Web. For Westfield resident Jim Bond, access to the Internet means understanding his grandson's illness. "My grandson came down with thyroid cancer, and I knew nothing about it," he said. "But I looked up information on the computer." Still, Bond admitted, he wants to learn more. So he came to PrimeLife Enrichment Monday afternoon for a free tutorial from some of those who know best n teenagers.

Photo by Robert Herrington | Lois Tarshes explains her computer monitor problems to Carmel High School students Scott Brookie, middle, and Stafford Brunk Monday afternoon

Brebeuf High School sophomore Daniel Kent launched a company in summer 2003 — Senior Connects — that pairs tech savvy youth with seniors, usually those in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, who want to learn more about computers. Monday, which Kent convinced the Westfield Town Council to approve as Senior Computer Literacy Awareness Day, Kent and a crew of about a dozen came to PrimeLife for three hours of computer tutorials. In addition, Senior Connects gave away 50 monitors and 100 CDs with antivirus and spyware protection software. Bond appreciated the help. "I don't think I have the understanding that most people have," Bond said. "There are times I just get frustrated (with the computer), so I shut it off and go to bed."

Photo by Robert Herrington | Carmel High School sophomore Zach Carr shows Jon Herron how to add or remove programs on his laptop computer. Seniors attending the Senior Computer Literacy Awareness Day went home with a CD ROM to help continue their computer educations

He just may be the youngest board member Carmel's PrimeLife Enrichment has ever seen. But according to Executive Director Sandy Stewart, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School sophomore Daniel Kent displays an uncommon passion for service, specifically to senior citizens. "He's an inspiration," she said. Kent does not see himself that way, however. He simply saw a need and acted to fill it. "When I wake up, I really am looking forward to volunteering," Kent said. "It is absolutely fun." It all began in summer 2003, as Kent prepared for his freshman year at Brebeuf. He was volunteering at a public library to teach computer skills to senior citizens. A gentleman Kent had been teaching approached him and told him what a great class it was. The man told Kent he had a friend in a nursing home who needed to learn to use computers but could not come to the library for the class.

PrimeLife Enrichment’s Executive Director and Community Outreach Director, Sandy Stewart and Lois Lewis worked with Daniel Kent of Senior Connects to organize the event. “This is a historic day for Hamilton County adults because senior need to be empowered to take advantage of the news, health information, and communication opportunities that the Internet offers. We provided our computer lab for this event because we believe senior citizen computer and Internet literacy to be one of the most critical issues of the day.” PrimeLife Enrichment has a six station state-of-the art computer lab and offers computer courses for its members.

When an established community outreach organizations such as PrimeLife Enrichment partners together with the extraordinary group of student-volunteers at like those at Senor Connects, the entire county benefits. Kent echoes that sentiment. “Senior Connects has provided or enhanced computer access to almost 11,000 seniors during the last year, including providing computers at every independent and assisted living facility in Hamilton County. Teams of volunteers that include Stafford Brunk, Matt May, and Kyle Egbert are currently teaching seniors in four Hamilton County facilities alone. The team is what makes this a successful program,” Kent continued.