Unsung Heroes #443

Stacy Prince had never used Excel.

But as she prepares to self-publish a book, she knows she must track expenses and sales, calculate net profit, etc.

Online tutorials jump way too fast, she says. So she turned to one of Westport’s most reliable sources for help: teenagers at the Senior Center.

That’s not a misprint.

Every Thursday afternoon all year long, high school students volunteer at the “Tech Hub.” They offer support for devices, software, and anything else computer-, laptop- and phone-related that older residents have trouble with, or questions about.

One view of the Senior Center’s Tech Hub …

The other day, Stacy met Alan Mello. The rising junior at Staples High School was “a natural,” she says.

He asked about her Excel goals. Then — “very patiently” — he walked her through whatever she needed.

“He explained everything as we created a spreadsheet, giving me every opportunity to ask questions, and without making me feel stupid,” Stacy reports.

She left with a great basic template, enough understanding of how to use it — and Alan’s contact info, in case she needed to follow up.

Alan is one of a few dozen volunteers at the Senior Center Tech Hub (not all are there every week). He volunteers because he saw his own 4 grandparents struggling at times with technology.

“I’m super-fortunate that they’re healthy,” he sys. “But they didn’t grow up with this. I’m fortunate that I did. This is a way I can help people like them.”

Alan was not entirely familiar with Excel. But he knew how to learn whatever he needed, and how to explain it to Stacy.

… and another.

That learning process is part of what Alan enjoys about working at the Senior Center. He discovers different devices and systems, and how other people use them.

Some want to interact with technology a lot, Alan says, citing a woman who was eager to learn the difference between AI assistants ChatGPT and Claude.

Others see technology as a burden. “That’s okay,” he says. “I’ve learned to be patient, and how to communicate, so they can feel a little more comfortable.”

Senior Center director Wendy Petty calls the students “friendly, patient and encouraging with everyone they help. The program bridges the generation gap, and for the students, it all seems to come naturally. They give our participants reassurance and confidence, helping with tasks that can feel frustrating or overwhelming.”

Among the issues the high schoolers solve:

• Navigating website to make appointments and reservations (very important, as more services are now online-only)
• Setting up new cell phones; changing settings, understanding notifications, organizing icons
• Transferring and downloading photos
• Setting up and and navigating social media like Instagram and Facebook, and connecting with family and friends
• Setting up Tile trackers for travel
• Troubleshooting email accounts
• Answering questions about AI, and exploring how to use it
• Creating flyers
• Creating and sending videos
• Signing up for Community Connect and Wheels2U
• Registering for Senior Center programs, and using MyActiveCenter.

… and a third.

“If students don’t know the answer to a question, they collaborate to figure it out,” Petty says. “And it’s wonderful to watch these generations working together and learning from each other.”

Someone called Tech Hub “the Senior Center’s ‘Genius Bar.'”

Here’s the genius: It’s a lot closer and easier than an Apple Store or Best Buy.

(The Tech Hub at the Westport Center for Senior Activities is open from 1 to 4 p.m. every Thursday, all year long. During the school year, adult volunteers staff the first hour. For more information, call 203-341-5099.)

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