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by Joanne K. Werner
If you are out of work, feeling blue, or need an outlet for your talents outside of work, I have a solution for you: contact The Volunteer Center of Dallas County. When I lost my job the first of January, I spent several weeks enjoying my time off, then got busy job hunting and catching up on chores. I soon became discouraged and depressed from being out of work and being at the cats' beck and call. I called The Volunteer Center of Dallas and requested a job teaching computer skills. They gave me the names of four agencies, one of them being Senior Net. I contacted them and they put me to work the next week.
Senior Net is a national nonprofit organization that sets up learning centers across the country and offers computer classes to anyone over the age of 50. In Dallas, the learning center is in a retirement home near White Rock Lake. For a modest fee, seniors can take classes in everything from Quicken to genealogy to greeting cards. The local center has eight computers, one for each client. With one instructor and two to three coaches per class, each client gets plenty of individual help.
Many clients received a computer from their children or grandchildren so that they could stay in touch through e-mail. After a five minute lesson from their grandkids, they are left feeling totally confused and intimidated! Senior Net's classes, by contrast, are slower paced. The instructor and the coaches offer plenty of individual assistance. Each client receives a manual and a practice disk so they can do the exercises during and after class.
The clients are so gracious, appreciating the individual attention. I especially like seeing the "Ah-ha" look on their face when they finally understand how to make labels or edit their mistakes. One particular older lady asked for my help in learning how to use tabs. We went through the steps together and she proudly brought in her finished list the next week. I get to hear about their World War II experiences, stories of raising kids, and how they earned a living. I, in turn, have an audience to give me advice on raising teenagers. Most of the clients are 65 or older, and the current class has an 81 year-old lady who is taking her first class! I only hope I'm able to learn new skills at that age.
What rewards do I get from volunteering? I feel needed and appreciated, I can get out of the house and meet new people and, most of all, I can give back to the community. If this sounds interesting, contact the Volunteer Center of Dallas County at 214-826-6767 or see their web site at www.volunteernorthtexas.org. Charitable giving has dropped at the same time that more people are needing services. They need all types of volunteers, from writers to mentors for at-risk students. Give the Volunteer Center a call today and ask what you can do to help. You'll be glad you did.
Joanne Werner is an active member of the Lone Star Chapter of STC. She teaches technical certification courses at Richland College and is currently looking for work.