Palm Beach State College Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE) Department collaborated with the Belle Glade campus staff to teach a basic computer class July 23 and 25 for 20 seniors from the Area Agency on Aging, Palm Beach Treasure Coast, Inc.
CCE developed the curriculum and facilitated the two-hour program at the Belle Glade campus.
“The 20 participants were lively and eager to learn,” said CCE Director Deborah Gordon. “CCE will continue to foster this and other partnerships to allow older adults to engage with a dynamic mix of offerings to achieve measurable change in technology and other areas of their lives.”
The participants were part of the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program, an intergenerational volunteer program and resource of the Area Agency on Aging that pairs seniors ages 55 years and older with special needs students, pre-K through third grade.
A year ago, Veronica Bettard-Ricketts, the Area Agency on Aging’s volunteer coordinator, began utilizing one of Belle Glade’s open fields and parks for in-service meetings. After the pandemic, the building that was used previously for their monthly meetings was permanently closed.
However, the outdoor environments were not optimal for training. One of the seniors recommended contacting the Belle Glade campus to ask if they could host their trainings on campus. Dr. LaTanya McNeal, the campus executive dean, welcomed them with open arms.
“Just being provided with a space equipped with what we need, set a professional tone that made my senior volunteers excited and eager to do more,” said Bettard-Ricketts. “After the computer class, 20 more wanted to sign up. During our August Back-to-School training, PBSC staff including recruiter Dr. Maurice Johnson spoke with the group and so many are now interested in pursuing a degree or certificate.”
The partnership has paid off as some are currently enrolled in College Credit Courses.
For McNeal, this collaboration was a key opportunity for furthering the success of the Glades area.
“My inspiration for getting our seniors in our college doors came from the story of Marie Fowler, who earned a doctorate at 83 years old from Howard University,” said McNeal, who also encouraged participating seniors to bring their children and grandchildren to PBSC.
FGP continues to utilize classroom space for in-service training and explore additional CCE classes for their participants. All Belle Glade campus departments work as an effective team to see the success of FGP and PBSC’s collaboration.
A recent study from the Pew Research Center has shown that older adults are the fastest-growing segment of the online population. Additionally, seniors who use technology feel more connected to others, are better engaged in the community and world around them and are more informed about current events. Internet use among seniors has risen steadily since 2000, when just 14% of seniors were Internet users. Today, 67% of adults ages 65 and older say they go online.