Jax Whatley, a senior at Carson High School and president of the school's Interact Club, speaks with Maggie Marin at the Carson City Senior Center and gives her advice about cell phone use.
Photo: Jessica Garcia
Carson High School Interact Club President Jax Whatley is encouraging more of his peers to go beyond the school walls and visit the Carson City Senior Center to offer assistance with technology equipment.
“As Interact, we try to bridge that disconnect in different areas of the community,” said Whatley, a third-year student. “That's something I realized early on. My grandparents also come to me for technical support. …I would say it's been a very successful and productive thing. That's what's behind it. It’s about interaction.”
Interact, a student club with about 20 members, began in February to help Carson seniors ask questions about computers, phones, tablets, installing apps, finding and deleting photos, being aware of scams, and more. Visiting a senior center.
Bailey Barber, school social worker, Blue Crew advisor and Interact advisor, said several students approached her about starting a club focused on community involvement and service. During a meeting with the Rotary Club of Carson City, she said the biggest need that emerged was the involvement of technology in the senior center.
“I started going in February and it was amazing,” she said. “Connection is really needed for different generations to interact with each other, and it's important to build relationships above all else. (Seniors) come and talk about their lives while we're doing something. I just want to talk. For example, “Here's how to delete a photo,” or “Here's how to download this app,” or “Here's an update that needs to be done.” your phone. 'But a lot of them are like, 'What are you interested in? 'This is where I'm from.' And as a social worker, that's really amazing to see. ”
Barber said that while teenagers often get a “bad rap” for their lack of self-involvement and community involvement, Interact is encouraging more young people to connect with older people and helping them said that many become isolated at that age as social relationships change.
Courtney Warner, director of the Carson City Senior Center, called the program “excellent” for providing seniors with another opportunity to speak with students who are truly interested in serving seniors.
“They might have grandchildren, they might have neighbor kids, but relationships change as they get older,” she says. “It’s great to have new energy, new life, and students around me,” she said. “And on the other hand, we represent the most experienced seniors. Also, students can learn a lot, and students can learn career experiences and life lessons from their seniors.” The relationship may continue.”
The Senior Center offers technical help hours and a computer lab. Warner said there will be walk-in time and two volunteers in addition to Interact students who come on the first, second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month. Seniors can get help with their smartphones, tablets, and software, including Microsoft Office products like Word.
“Sometimes there's a line out the door and sometimes it's a little slow,” she said. “Most importantly, if you are an upperclassman and need help, you can contact us.”
But Warner said she appreciated the students' involvement in the activities of their seniors at the center and noted the conversations she overheard among them.
“It’s fun and friendly,” she said. “It's scary to ask for help. … But the friendship is there. It's like a family. It's amazing.”
