Moose Jaw Times Herald

The Moose Jaw Literacy Network has come up with an ingenious way to help seniors, and others, keep up with the latest computer skills and technology.

Horizons Lifelong Learning Centre, operated by the network, will be a place where seniors will develop computer literacy skills, then in turn, host tutoring sessions on those skills for others. And that’s not all: the seniors will also be tutoring people in math and reading.

Sharon Boudreau, literacy co-ordinator of the network, said seniors are saying they want to learn how to e-mail family and pay bills online, but they need help learning how. Anyone who has felt overwhelmed by technology innovation can relate to those wishes.

Once seniors’ needs are addressed, they can move on and help others who need to improve computer, math and reading skills.

This is a fantastic community-based approach to literacy that covers all the bases needed to help people communicate in today’s world. However, Boudreau said the project isn’t just about learning computers or other skills.

The centre is about intergenerational links, she said, putting older and younger generations together to promote understanding.

Ray Boughen, the Palliser MP who announced federal funding for the project on Friday, said the centre will encourage seniors to provide leadership, and share their skills, wisdom and experience with others. The bonus: they also keep up with the latest computer skills and innovation.

The project works to bridge the generation gap that often creates the feeling of isolation regarding the latest technology in the first place.

For creating a project that promotes community unity in a world of constantly-changing computer communication, the Moose Jaw Literacy Network gets an A+.