SeniorLink--Finalist in the @15 Community Impact Challenge

Introducing SeniorLink from Newton, PA. SeniorLink is one of the 15 finalists in the @15 Community Impact Challenge.




In today's world, there exists an unfortunate “digital divide,” a chasm that hampers or prevents communication between senior citizens and their children and grandchildren, one that isolates elders in nursing homes and retirement communities who are away (both physically and emotionally) from their families. The members of SeniorLink believe that by educating senior citizens in the field of modern technology, one can effectively bridge the digital divide and in doing so, reintegrate them into the families and society in which they long to belong. As a registered 501c3 non-profit, SeniorLink has served senior citizens residing in two nursing homes/retirement communities in Bucks County, Pennsylvania: teaching typing skills to residents and helping send emails to family members. They have collected over 100 computers via donations from the community, as well as 10-20 printers.




If selected as a Challenge recipient, SeniorLink would fund its current national expansion venture, through which high school and middle school students all over the country would be able to establish their own local SeniorLink chapters. Once local chapters are established throughout the country, SeniorLink will have the potential to reach hundreds and perhaps thousands of senior citizens, seniors who may have always desired the ease of communication that comes with computers, but may never have had the time to learn. There are many beneficial externalities that will result from such an expansion, including a positive sustainable use for used computers, and a general sense of community cohesiveness that many areas lack, especially intergenerationally. To do such a thing, funding would be used to refurbish SeniorLink’s website, print and distribute local chapter application information and refurbish computers.










Between March 15-April 2, 2010, you get to decide which five of the 15 finalist teams of young social entrepreneurs will each receive $5,000 and which five teams will receive $1,500 each to expand their local ventures. So be sure to cast your vote on at15 between March 15 - April 2, 2010.