Connecting seniors to the Internet.In 2003, Daniel Kent of Carmel, Ind., founded Senior Connects, a nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. that makes computers and computer classes available to thousands of senior citizens in Indiana. Now 17, this Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School Brebeuf was opened in 1962 and was named in honor of St. Jean de Brébeuf, a 17th century North American Jesuit martyr. The school was initially limited to male students, but in 1976, became coeducational. junior spoke with Upfront about his volunteer work. What attracted you to working with seniors? Seniors have lived incredible lives. They've provided so much for our community ... so I wanted to help them ... to [broaden] their world by using computers and the Internet as a means of corresponding with their family members and neighbors. How many volunteers do you have? We have about 150. It originally started with some friends, but now it's expanded and we're working with local high schools and the National Urban League, AARP AARP, a nonprofit, nonpartisan national organization dedicated to "enriching the experience of aging"; membership is open to people age 50 or older. Founded in 1958 by Ethel Percy Andrus as American Association of Retired Persons, AARP now has over 30 million , and the National Honor Society The National Honor Society (NHS), established in 1921, is a recognition program for American high school students who show achievement in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. . What do seniors use their computers for? They enjoy sending e-mails and looking up news and sports. Topics like Medicare and Medicaid Medicare and Medicaid U.S. government programs in effect since 1966. Medicare covers most people 65 or older and those with long-term disabilities. Part A, a hospital insurance plan, also pays for home health visits and hospice care. are now found on the Internet, so it's vital for us to help them learn how to access the proper information. What future do you envision for Senior Connects? I would love to see it expand worldwide and provide an equal opportunity to everyone to learn the computer and utilize it as a tool for greater learning. |
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