A member of the Carmel Clay Public Library Teen Volunteer Corps (Carmel, IN) who offered computer tutoring for adults, Daniel Kent had a brainstorm when he was in the eighth grade.
One of his “students” mentioned that a neighbor in his retirement home couldn’t come to the library for tutoring because he was in a wheelchair.
“I really felt bad,” says Daniel, 17. “His friend should not be denied the opportunity to learn just because he cannot get out.”
So the current Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (Carmel, IN) junior searched for an organization he could volunteer with — one that would take computer tutoring into retirement homes. When he found no such group, he decided to start one himself.
Now, Senior Connects refurbishes donated used computers and gives them to retirement homes. The organization also offers computer instruction to seniors.
Thanks to Senior Connects, about 11,000 seniors in 70 retirement homes across Indiana now have computer access. And the organization is growing, establishing computer labs in low-income neighborhoods. About 150 teen volunteers work under the umbrella of Net Literacy, the organization that includes all of Daniel’s efforts.
“I would love for it to grow globally so individuals all over the world could have the opportunity to learn and communicate via computers and the Internet,” he says.
“It’s just a great team effort. One person can make a difference, but together we can change the world.”
