As a tech-geek, I have been quite enamored with this age of social media and collaborative team tools. My mother, on the other hand, and many others in her generation have not been so quick to embrace new technologies.
However, due to our current situation, my mother decided to put aside her resistance and give Zoom a try. The result meant she was able to see all her children and great-grandchildren together for the first time in an extended family Easter party hosted on Zoom.
Jaya Manjunath is helping to make this scenario a reality for seniors everywhere. She's the founder of Seniors with Skills (https://www.seniorswithskills.org/), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the social isolation of senior citizens in North America.
Manjunath, a university student with a passion for helping the elderly, founded her nonprofit in 2018 with various programs including those to teach seniors how to use smartphones, computers, and technologies allowing them to be able to communicate with loved ones even when they aren't physically present.
With the onset of Covid-19 and physical distancing, Manjunath is focusing on the Online Buddy program allowing seniors to engage in video-chats with volunteers.
The organization has had an influx of volunteers and continues to get more people who are eager to help; however, at this point, there are more volunteers than there are seniors who are signed up for the program.
SWS's Online Buddy program includes any isolated seniors - whether they are in residential facilities or living on their own. We need your help in spreading the word!
Here's how you can help:
Join the Online Buddy Program
Isolated Seniors:
Do you know anyone who is facing social isolation who might want to join the Online Buddy Program? Please have them contact SWS at volunteering@seniorswithskills.org.
Senior Facilities:
Do you know of a senior facility that houses seniors who would benefit from receiving video chats and might want to be part of the Online Buddy Program. Please have them contact SWS at volunteering@seniorswithskills.org.
Volunteer:
Do you want to volunteer to be an Online Buddy? Fill out this form.
Spread the word
Do you know anyone (news, blog, social media?) who might be interested in featuring this story to raise awareness of this cause, and encourage more seniors living at home who are facing social isolation to join the Online Buddy Program?
Please share this post with your network
Contact volunteering@seniorswithskills.org for a news story or blog post.
Social Media
Follow Seniors With Skills on:
Twitter: @seniorswskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seniorswithskills/
Donate
GoFundMe to help provide iPads to senior facilities.
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