Are you interested in working with older adults to improve their digital literacy? Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that combines technology with education? If so, then check out this opportunity below!
Baystate Health is part of the Western Massachusetts Alliance for Digital Equity (a regional coalition of organizations from western Massachusetts communities that serves as a catalyst for community action to assure digital equity for all people). One of the primary initiatives of the alliance lies in creating a library digital equity network to help close the digital literacy gap that exists among older adults. To that end, the sub-committee is collaborating with Cyber Seniors — a nonprofit organization which uses an intergenerational, volunteer model by training young adults (aged 16 to 24) to work effectively with older adults to foster digital literacy.
Palmer Public Library is the pilot institute for the MA program, because they have the staff, physical space and equipment to support it. Ultimately, the program will be launched in libraries and other locations in all four counties of Western Massachusetts.
Along with students from UMass Amherst, we are planning to start tech-training sessions at Palmer Public Library, led by college students in April.
If you are interested in being trained by Cyber Seniors during March, we have an info session on Wed, March 8, 7 to 8 PM EST. Please email spalreddy24@amherst.edu and cc Kimothy.Jones@baystatehealth.org to get the Zoom link.
Recognizing that transportation could be an issue for some of the college volunteers, we are exploring options so that students can get to Palmer. There is also the potential to offer stipends to the volunteer tech trainers to offset travel expenses.