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Seniors On-Line

The Seniors On-Line pilot project took place during the first four months of 2003 at the Promenade Apartment Complex in Bethesda. In February 2003, Jim Goldstein from North Potomac, Md., contacted The Senior Connection to explore the possibility of expanding a community service project he had recently created. Inspired by a leadership course given locally by Landmark Education, he launched Seniors On-Line with $20,000 worth of donated computer hardware and software (via Mortgage Banking Systems, Inc., Comcast, Montgomery County Government and private individuals) and 20 computer-literate volunteers. The pilot program helped 82 individuals learn how to navigate Windows, send and receive e-mail and use the Internet. In addition, high school volunteers earned community service credits for assisting the seniors in the class.

The collaboration with The Senior Connection has allowed the program to expand rapidly to meet the needs of seniors throughout the county. A Memorandum of Understanding with the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) of Montgomery County has opened the door to the second phase of this project. Seniors On-Line has opened at two of the four sites slated.

Since most seniors over the age of 75 have not had any real experience with computers, they need assistance to learn how to use the computer and may also need mentoring in order to sustain their interest and enhance their skills. The Senior Connection opened its initial HOC site at Waverly House in Bethesda in December 2003. We will be open for as many hours as we have willing volunteers to serve as "coaches" and "helpers" for seniors using the computer center.