The power of youth: "It all starts with youth. Youth can impact society," said Ian Trusedell, a 2008 Decatur Central graduate. - MATT KRYGER / The Star

'Silent leader' bolsters school's service clubs

By Andy Gammill

IndyStar.com

The valedictorians may get to give the commencement speeches, but many graduating seniors this year excelled in areas beyond academics: in the arts, service to the community and other ways. The Star will tell the stories of some of those metro-area students in a series of profiles this week.

Over the years, Decatur Central's Students Against Destructive Decisions club had withered and eventually stopped working.

Until Ian Trusedell got there.

Not only did he and his friends resurrect SADD, which was prominent this year at school discouraging drinking, drug use and violence. Trusedell, 18, also launched the school's chapter of Net Literacy, a nonprofit that puts computers in the hands of senior citizens and the poor.

Click here for graduation photos from area high schools.

To hear the Decatur Central senior tell it, he didn't do anything: Everyone else deserves the credit, and he just helped. The adults who worked alongside him say that's not the case.

"He's what I call a silent leader," said Cathy Tooley, an administrator at Decatur Central. "He leads everything but then stands in the back and pushes other people to the front to take the credit."

Take his election this year as president of the SADD club. Trusedell, his twin sister, Katherine, and a friend propelled the organization forward with their dedication and will, according to the school.

It was Trusedell who came up with the idea to replicate a program where the Grim Reaper walks through school hallways picking "victims" of drunken-driving accidents.

Family members and friends then eulogized the "deceased" classmates just before prom in a display that school staff members said hit home for students.

"He was a huge driving force," said Kim Glover, the club's adviser. "He can do anything he wants, anything he puts his mind to. He's that kind of kid."

That leadership and compassion also caught the attention of Don Kent, chairman of Net Literacy. Trusedell attended a summer workshop last year where teens learned to create Web sites and then worked with nonprofit groups that needed them.

When the directors of the organizations explained their missions, Trusedell asked probing questions. He showed sincere interest and took copious notes, Kent said.

"It was his leadership skills and personality that differentiated himself not only to me but to his peers," Kent said. "He believes in volunteering and helping others, and that resonated within him. I could see that resonating with him more strongly than in most 18-year-olds."

Kent asked Trusedell whether he would like to launch a chapter at Decatur Central and later asked him to join the board of Net Literacy, which also includes U.S. Sens. Evan Bayh and Richard Lugar and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed.

Trusedell became the team leader for a new program, Safe Connects, which aims to teach children and teens to use the Internet safely.

The public-service advertisements Trusedell oversaw will soon begin appearing on local cable networks and government channels across the state.

He sees that message of Internet safety and SADD's mission to prevent teen drinking and drug use as examples of youth empowerment.

"It all starts with youth," Trusedell said. "Youth can impact society."

He also has served on missions with his sister through Valley Mills Christian Church. They spent weekends making sandwiches and bread to take to the homeless. They spent spring breaks on mission trips, including this year to New Orleans, where they helped rebuild a church.

At one point, Trusedell thought the music he loves might be his career. He led the school's elite jazz combo, which was started by his older brother while Trusedell was still in elementary school. He was selected to play acoustic bass in the Indiana All-Star High School Band.

He could have made a career of music, said Tim Cox, director of bands at Decatur Central.

"He is a very, very good bass player, but also a fine trumpet player," Cox said. "He's one of the best I've ever had. . . . He could have easily gone to any music school he wanted to and made a significant impact."

Trusedell said he decided instead that he could better use his gifts in mathematics as a career than he could his music.

He was accepted to Purdue University, but he thought that it wouldn't guarantee him the chance to immediately do the work he wanted. And he felt a higher calling.

So he enlisted in the Air Force.

He leaves for training and then active duty in the fall.

Call Star reporter Andy Gammill at (317) 444-6494.

Carmel seniors assist seniors, get scholarships

Submitted by Tony Willis

Posted: May 27, 2008

Computers, cell phones, and other technology have shortened the distance between family and friends. From sending an email, creating a photo album online, or sending instant messages; these simple tasks are taken for granted by today's youth. But, to most senior citizens these words are another language. If seniors were introduced to these technologies, they would have the means to communicate with their children, view photos of grandchildren, and shop online for gifts; all with just the click of a mouse.

PNY Technologies, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of computer products, put teens to the test to bridge this technological gap with the first annual Seniors Helping Seniors competition. The scholarship program invited all high school seniors in the graduating class of 2008 to design and perform a project that would enhance the lives and meet the needs of seniors within their community with PNY technology.

From the many hundred applicants, PNY Technologies chose Sachin Santhakumar, Yunpeng Yang, and William Zhang from Carmel High School as the grand prize winning team for their project; "Senior Connects."

For their outstanding service and accomplishments, each student was awarded a $2,500 college scholarship. PNY also donated three computers and monitors to the high school. The computers are being used in the classroom of Margaret Winans, a business teacher at Carmel High School, to aid in supporting the "Seniors Connects" program, in which Ms. Winans is the sponsor.

"Senior Connects" is a computer education program run by highly motivated students for the senior citizen community of Indiana. Through the program, senior citizens are taught basic computer, internet and email skills in local senior citizen facilities; providing a more convenient way to learn for the residents. The three students' knowledge of computers and passion for providing assistance to those in need, were the building blocks for starting their own chapter of the organization at their school. The Carmel branch of "Senior Connects," not only educated the seniors about the vast internet, but also on the different storage options; such as PNY's SD Flash cards and USB Flash drives used to save, store, and share information. One on one lessons between students and seniors, who were once unconnected provided the seniors with the knowledge to use modern technology in order to connect with family and friends.

The computers donated by PNY are providing the students with additional workstations to download software and drivers, in order to re-purpose older computers which are donated to the local assisted living center where the students held their computer education sessions for the seniors. The systems are also being used for the students to finish a PowerPoint presentation on Safe Internet Use. The presentation will be recorded and presented to the Department of Education and Congressional staffers in Washington DC this summer for discussion on the national distribution of the presentation in order to educate the nation on safe usage of the internet.

"We are pleased to announce the winning team and their project called Senior Connects," said Margaret Salleroli, Marketing Communications Manager, for PNY Technologies. "Senior citizens in their community now have the knowledge and ability to keep in touch with family through the use of technology while each student earned scholarship money to further their education and continue giving back to their community. Seniors Helping Seniors was a gratifying experience for everyone and PNY Technologies looks forward to more rewarding results in the future through our commitment to this program."

The 2008 scholarship program will be Go Green with PNY. For more information on this program please contact Susan Bartolucci at (973) 560-5592 or via email at sbartolucci@pny.com.

Established in 1985, PNY Technologies Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of memory upgrade modules, high capacity flash memory cards, USB flash drives, portable hard drives as well as consumer and professional workstation graphics cards. The company's photography, mobility, 3D gaming and business solutions are widely available from major retail, e-tail and wholesale outlets internationally. Headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., PNY maintains facilities in North America (Santa Clara and Orange County, Calif., Miami, Fla. and Parsippany, N.J.), Europe (Benelux, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, United Kingdom,) Asia (Taiwan and China) and Latin America. For more information, please visit: www.pny.com.

Tony Willis is an English teacher at Carmel High School. Contact Willis at twillis@ccs.k12.in.ustwillis@ccs.k12.in.us and (317) 844-9961, ext. 7117.

Fort Wayne Net Literacy Program Given $20,000 Grant

InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report

Updated: 4/18/2008 11:55:24 AM

The Verizon Foundation has given the City of Fort Wayne a $20,000 grant to help with the Fort Wayne Net Literacy program. The money will allow as many as 3,000 people to have access to basic computer classes, Internet safety and online mentoring. The Net Literacy program creates computer labs in Fort Wayne Housing Authority and independent and assisted living facilities.

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry thanked the Verizon Foundation Thursday for its $20,000 grant that will help as many as 3,000 people have access to basic computer classes, Internet safety and online mentoring as part of the Fort Wayne Net Literacy program.

The Verizon Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Verizon Corp.

“Computer and Internet literacy is vital today,” Henry said. “It enables students and adults to enhance their job and life skills. It allows seniors to communicate with family and friends, use e-commerce and participate in Web-enabled medical and health programs. Verizon is to be commended for its corporate philanthropy, which improves the lives of our citizens, now and tomorrow.”

Fort Wayne’s Net Literacy program creates computer labs in Fort Wayne Housing Authority and independent- and assisted-living facilities. It also loans or awards computers to local students and Twenty-first Century scholars.

Student volunteers will be sought from Fort Wayne schools, nonprofit organizations and other community organizations to teach the one-on-one sessions that will be scheduled to meet the timetables of the seniors.

Fort Wayne Net Literacy will conduct a city-wide computer drive where computers can be donated to the program. Any computers that cannot be refurbished to meet program standards would be disposed in an EPA-compliant manner, according to the Mayor.

Fort Wayne’s leadership has resulted in being selected as a Bring IT (Information Technology) Home America community by One Economy, a global nonprofit organization. One Economy uses innovative approaches to deliver the power of technology and information to low-income people, giving them valuable tools for building better lives.

Source: City of Fort Wayne and Verizon Communications Inc.

Verizon Foundation awards $20,000 grant to Net Literacy program

Times Community Publishing

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry thanked the Verizon Foundation Thursday for its $20,000 grant that will help as many as 3,000 people have access to basic computer classes, Internet safety and online mentoring as part of the Fort Wayne Net Literacy program.

The Verizon Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Verizon Corp.

“Computer and Internet literacy is vital today,” Henry said. “It enables students and adults to enhance their job and life skills. It allows seniors to communicate with family and friends, use e-commerce and participate in Web-enabled medical and health programs. Verizon is to be commended for its corporate philanthropy, which improves the lives of our citizens, now and tomorrow.”

Fort Wayne’s Net Literacy program creates computer labs in Fort Wayne Housing Authority and independent- and assisted-living facilities. It also loans or awards computers to local students and Twenty-first Century scholars.

Student volunteers will be sought from Fort Wayne schools, nonprofit organizations and other community organizations to teach the one-on-one sessions that will be scheduled to meet the timetables of the seniors.

Fort Wayne Net Literacy will conduct a city-wide computer drive where computers can be donated to the program. Any computers that cannot be refurbished to meet program standards would be disposed in an EPA-compliant manner, according to the Mayor.

Fort Wayne’s leadership has resulted in being selected as a Bring IT (Information Technology) Home America community by One Economy, a global nonprofit organization. One Economy uses innovative approaches to deliver the power of technology and information to low-income people, giving them valuable tools for building better lives.

Campaign Geared to Keep Students Safe on the Web

By Joe Ulery

WIBC.com

3/10/2008

State Schools Superintendent Suellen Reed is launching a $100,000 campaign to increase Internet safety for students and families across the state.

"The Internet is a wonderful educational resource for our students, but we all need to be more aware of the dangers that come with it,” says Reed.

The campaign, titled "The Ten Most Important Things to Know About the Internet," is sponsored by Bright House Networks.

It includes ten student-generated public service announcements addressing everything from cyber-bullies and Internet predators to viruses and hate web sites.

Reed says more and more kids are using networking sites like myspace and facebook and need to know about the real dangers surrounding them.

Local students produce PSAs on Internet safety

WISHtv.com

Posted: March 10, 2008 11:52 AM

State school superintendent Suellen Reed launched the campaign Monday morning

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Internet safety is a subject that concerned local students so much they produced a series of public service announcements you'll be seeing on television soon.

State school superintendent Suellen Reed launched the campaign Monday morning. She congratulated the student-led non-profit foundation called "Net Literacy" for its work.

Ten PSAs featuring local students will educate kids about everything from cyber bullying and Internet predators to viruses and hate Web sites.

"A lot of students are putting too much personal, way too much personal information and that's how you get a lot of predators knocking at our door. It's cool to you know, reunite with friends but just keep it on a friend, business level. You don't need to put like crazy pictures or anything on there," said Sean Pettigrew, Arlington High School.

Decatur Central student Ian Trusedell says that over a quarter of young teens have talked about sex to a stranger they met on the Internet.

Trusedell says someone recently created a MySpace page about him that included his picture and personal information.

"He felt violated. He really felt like, 'Well what did I do? How could I make this better'," said Jean Trusedell, Ian's mother.

The incident committed Ian to helping other kids learn about Internet safety through this campaign.

Bright House Networks and Intel are sponsoring the $100,000 campaign. Along with the PSAs, the students are producing several 45-minute Internet safety programs for schools to use.

By: Leslie Olsen
WISH-TV

State unveils program to promote Internet safety

WTHR.com

Updated: April 7, 2008 05:05 PM

Kevin Rader/Eyewitness News

Dr. Suellen Reed

Statehouse - The state wants to make the Internet safer for Indiana students and families.

The state's superintendent for public instruction, Dr. Sue Ellen Reed, announced a $100,000 campaign to increase Internet safety. The program includes student-led programs in high schools and a series of public service announcements that will begin airing later this month. The commercials will focus on everything from cyber bullies to Internet predators to viruses and hate web sites.

"The Internet is a wonderful educational resource for our students, but we all need to be more aware of the dangers that come with it," said Reed. "This student-led campaign will help to increase Internet safety for students and families across Indiana."

The campaign is titled "The Ten Most Important Things To Know About The Internet" and is sponsored by Brighthouse Networks.

"Since 2003, over 700 students have served as volunteers and together we have done great things. We have purchased thousands of computers in an EPA compliant and environmentally friendly manner," said Brebeuf senior Brian Kelley. "We have helped enhanced computer access for over 70 thousand individuals in four state by donating computers in over 200 locations. Students have taught senior citizens in internet skills in intergenerational program. Since 2006, as an example, 30 Northwest High School Students, more than a dozen of which are here today, have invited senior citizens into their schools to teach them computer and Internet skills after school."

The state says many people are not aware of the dangers on the Internet. The program will better equip people to navigate the web safely.

DC students get word out on Internet safety

By Nick McLain | nmclain@md-times.com

Saturday March 1, 2008

Decatur Central High School junior Laney Wilson appears in this public service announcement that will begin airing in the middle of March on Comcast and Brighthouse networks. It is part of a campaign by Net Literacy, a company that tries to increase Internet literacy and make it a safer place.

Decatur Township

You don't have to look far for horror stories on the Internet these days.

Stories about identity theft, nasty computer viruses and, as shown in the NBC series "To Catch a Predator," the threat of sexual predators, abound.

But some Decatur Central High School students are hoping to educate the public on Internet safety tips in a new series of public service announcements (PSAs) to be released in mid-March on Brighthouse and Comcast networks. Brighthouse financed the $100,000 campaign.

The students are members of the Net Literacy club at DC, and the aim of Net Literacy is to increase Internet literacy and to offer safety tips for those browsing the Web. The Safe Connects part of Net Literacy is what the latest series of PSAs focuses on.

It offers tips on how to deal with cyberbullies, predators, spyware, viruses and identity theft. With the popularity of MySpace and Facebook among young people, the message comes at an important time.

"I'm on MySpace, and you get messages from people you don't know, who may look nice enough, but you can't judge just based on appearances," said senior Sarah Jones, 18, one of the students who appears in the PSAs.

Senior Ian Trusedell, 18, is on the board of directors at Net Literacy, the Web company behind the campaign. The company encourages youth involvement even on its board.

Trusedell approached his fellow classmates about being in the advertisements.

"Ian came up to us and asked us, 'Hey, do you want to be in a commercial?'" senior Cindy Cicierko said. "I said absolutely. It's for a very good cause."

The other DC students appearing in the PSAs are junior Laney Wilson, 17, and senior Sean Bundles, 18.

"It's great to see students so engaged," said Net Literacy chairman Don Kent. "They're a great group of kids and deserve the recognition."

Cathy Tooley, the director for ICE, a creative small learning community that the students are part of, had equally high praise for the youth.

"The way students get portrayed on TV, you'd think they're all thugs, but they're not," Tooley said. "This is the reality, this is normal: good, smart, well-spoken kids who really care about what's going on in the world.

"They are just great kids, DC's finest."

In addition to the PSAs, the students will have a 45-minute production on Internet safety for the middle school students.

After the Safe Connects campaign, the students hope to move on to help another Net Literacy specialty, Computer Connects. They hope to refurbish 60 computers to be used by those in the community who don't have regular computer access. Net Literacy has increased computer access to over 60,000 individuals in four states.

The DC students hope that the Net Literacy club continues to grow. After Trusedell graduates this year, freshman Josh Mannix will take over as president.

For more information on Safe Connects, go to www.safeconnects.org. Net Literacy's Web site is www.netliteracy.org.

PNY Technologies Announces Grand Prize Winning Team of First Annual Scholarship Program, Seniors Helping Seniors&tm;

PR Newswire, March 11, 2008

Winning Team Bridged Digital Divide Between Senior Citizens and Their Families

PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Every day new technology emerges that brings distant friends and families closer together. Whether it is sending an instant-message, e-mail or pictures online, these quick and simple computer tasks are nothing new to today's teens that are growing up in a digital world. Many senior citizens want and need to keep connected to their families. However, the same technology is foreign to them. Simply receiving a picture online of their grandchildren would be a joyful yet difficult task to perform without the computer skills that teenagers enjoy.

PNY Technologies, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of computer products, put teens to the test to bridge this technological gap with the first annual Seniors Helping Seniors competition. This scholarship program invited all high school seniors in the graduating class of 2008 to design and perform a project that would enhance the lives and meet the needs of seniors within their community while utilizing PNY technology.

Among the many hundred applicants, PNY Technologies announced that the Grand Prize Winning team is Sachin Santhakumar, Yunpeng Yang and William Zhang from Carmel High School of Carmel, Indiana for their project called Senior Connects. Each student was awarded a $2,500 college scholarship in addition to having three computers and monitors donated to their school.

Entries were judged on the originality and usefulness of the plan, teamwork involved, and the way the plan enhanced the lives of the senior citizens in their community. The winning team refurbished donated computers and installed anti-virus software using PNY's Attache(TM) USB Flash Drives for senior citizens to learn and work on at a local senior activities center. Senior Connects taught each participant at their own pace basic computer operation skills such as typing and moving a mouse, how to use the internet, as well as shopping online for those who are unable to leave their homes. They were also instructed on the different types of storage options available such as PNY's SD(TM) Flash cards & USB Flash drives used to save, store and share information.

Through this program, senior citizens who had once been unconnected due to immobility were now connected to family, friends and all that life has to offer, through the simple use of the internet.

"We are pleased to announce the winning team and their project called Senior Connects," said Margaret Salleroli, Marketing Communications Manager, for PNY Technologies. "Senior citizens in their community now have the knowledge and ability to keep in touch with family through the use of technology while each student earned scholarship money to further their education and continue giving back to their community. Seniors Helping Seniors was a gratifying experience for everyone and PNY Technologies looks forward to more rewarding results in the future through our commitment to this program."

Three Honorable Mention entries included Ashley Barton of Katy, Texas, Joseph Alessi of New Paltz, New York and a team from Chanhassen, Minnesota that included Sarah Thune, Ryan Maus, Maren Franzen and Catherine Cheam for their program, Get Connected. Each student received a PNY Flash Media Prize package consisting of USB Flash Drive and Flash Memory Card with a value up to $500 per team. All program entrants received a special gift package including music and image downloads.

For more information or pictures from the Seniors Helping Seniors program please contact Jenny Krieger at 973-227-8600 or via email at jennyk@thinkcmd.com .

About PNY Technologies, Inc.

Established in 1985, PNY Technologies(R), Inc. is a leading supplier and marketer of NVIDIA Quadro(R) by PNY professional graphics boards and Verto- brand consumer graphics cards. The company also offers a full line of high-end memory upgrade modules, flash media, Attache(TM) USB flash drives, flash peripherals and S-Cure(TM) Data Protection Cards. Headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., PNY maintains facilities in North America (Santa Clara and Orange County, CA, Miami, FL and Parsippany, N.J.), Europe (France, United Kingdom, Germany) and Asia (Taiwan). For additional information, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.pny.com/ .

MSD of Decatur Township Electronic Newsletter

February 22, 2008

Contact: Gary Pellico

Students from DCHS have been involved in producing a series of Public Service Announcements alerting young people about Cyber Bullying and Internet Safety through the Net Literacy organization. A Net Literacy Club has been started by students at DCHS this year and the club will serve as the "talent" for the filming of the 7th and 8th grade Internet safety program - which is a 45 minute production. These spots will be shown throughout Indiana on all Comcast and Bright House Network systems and the Government channels starting in March. Net Literacy also has a program for high school students to present to their classmates and their parents (also reviewed by the IDOE) that the DCHS students would like to put on this semester. The mission of the organization is to engage students and show how they can empower themselves and make real change that impacts thousands of other students and their parents. DCHS is helping to spearhead this initiative. Ian Trusedell is heading up the program at DCHS after participating in the Safe Connects program at IUPUI this past summer. Teacher Scott Bauserman is helping to sponsor the club and assisting in extending the program to other schools in the district. DCHS student, Laney Wilson, appears on the PSA attached.

Non-profit creates Internet safety campaign

By Wade Coggeshall

Hendricks County Flyer (Avon, Ind.)

INDIANAPOLIS —

Net Literacy’s latest program, Safe Connects, will teach youths how to prudently use the Internet. Wade Coggeshall/Flyer photo

For a generation that’s so computer-savvy, it sure makes itself vulnerable on the World Wide Web.

That’s one of the major reasons why Net Literacy was born. The Indianapolis-based non-profit was founded in 2003 by a junior high student voluntarily teaching computer and Internet skills to area seniors and elementary school students.

Since its start, more than 700 students have volunteered for the organization, reconditioned thousands of computers for public schools, and increased computer access for more than 70,000 people in four states. The likes of Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, and Colin Powell have publicly acknowledged its impact.

“There’s no question we’re on the leading edge of youth engagement in crossing the digital divide,” said Don Kent, chair and youth mentor for Net Literacy.

The organization has four core programs. Computer Connects collects and refurbishes computers that are distributed to public facilities. Senior Connects teaches older residents computer and Internet skills. Community Connects establishes computer labs in public centers like Boys and Girls Clubs.

The latest is Safe Connects, meant to teach children safe Internet use.

“Our students feel that increasing Internet safety awareness is important,” Kent said.

Net Literacy cites the alarming statistic that almost one in five youths have been inappropriately contacted by adults in Internet chatrooms.

“Sometimes I think it’s the perception of anonymity on the Internet, looking at text as opposed to having a conversation with a person,” Kent said. “They have a false sense of security.”

It’s not just child predators that teens need to beware. Inappropriate profiles on social websites like MySpace and Facebook, even done in jest, can come back to haunt their creators, particularly when it comes to future employment. Employers and headhunters are increasingly using sophisticated search technology when conducting background checks on potential employees.

“This is something students just aren’t aware of, partly because parents aren’t aware of this,” Kent said.

To help combat these concerns, student volunteers have crafted age-appropriate lesson plans to be used in schools and are creating public service announcements that are airing on Bright House Networks cable for the next 10 months. The student volunteers wrote the scripts and are serving as the on-camera talent. Bright House is acting as producer, committing $100,000 over the years to Net Literacy’s initiatives.

Al Aldridge, Bright House’s public relations director, said, “Media literacy has always been a strong component of our outreach to communities. Net literacy fell right into the same bucket.”

Bright House has collaborated with Indianapolis Public Schools in the past to create similar measures. Safe Connects, Aldridge says, is a continuation of the company’s mission to educate citizens on how best to use its products.

“We think it’s going to be a nice way for a peer-to-peer conversation about something that needs to be talked about,” he said.

Students launch $100,000 Internet safety campaign

Written by Staff, on 03-12-2008 10:00

Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed joined Net Literacy, an Indiana-based, student-led nonprofit, to launch a $100,000 campaign to increase Internet safety for students and families across the state this week. The campaign includes student-led programs held in local schools and a series of public service announcements to be aired on television statewide beginning this month.

“The Internet is a wonderful educational resource for our students, but we all need to be more aware of the dangers that come with it,” said Reed. “This student-led campaign will help to increase Internet safety for students and families across Indiana.”

The $100,000 campaign titled “The 10 Most Important Things To Know About The Internet” is sponsored by Bright House Networks and includes student-generated public service announcements addressing everything from cyber bullies and Internet predators to viruses and hate Web sites.

Through Safe Connects, one of Net Literacy’s core programs, students will teach classmates and parents in their communities about Internet safety in meetings after school in locations across the state. As part of the expansion of Safe Connects, four 45-minute Internet safety programs, sponsored by Intel, will also be produced and broadcasted on local government channels and will be available on cable providers’ local on demand service for Hoosiers across the state.

“Many students and adults are not aware of all of the dangers on the Internet,” says Ian Truesdell, a high school senior on Net Literacy’s board of directors who leads the Safe Connects initiative. “It’s important that Internet users know that one out of every 10 Web sites contains malware, hate Web sites or use a combination of truth and lies to spread hate, and that using MySpace or Facebook inappropriately could cost someone their job in the future.”

Net Literacy is a student-managed nonprofit that promotes youth philanthropy through a series of community outreach programs. The company’s mission is to increase computer access by creating public computer labs, teach computer and Internet skills, and educate youth and parents about Internet safety.

Brainard recognizes Net Literacy's community service

Submitted by Nancy S. Heck

Posted: March 20, 2008

On March 24, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. at Carmel High School, Mayor Jim Brainard will recognize the student volunteers of Net Literacy with a proclamation commending their five years of service and contributions to the City of Carmel and other cities throughout Indiana.

Net Literacy, originally called Senior Connects, is a nonprofit organization that began in 2003 to help others by increasing computer access, computer and Internet literacy, and Internet safety awareness.

In May of 2003, Net Literacy founder, Daniel Kent, an eighth grade student at Carmel Middle School at the time, called Carmel Mayor, Jim Brainard, and asked him for help. Daniel and a group of students wanted to hold their first computer drive so they could build computer labs in senior citizen community centers and independent living facilities. To Daniel's surprise, the Mayor offered to hold the computer drive in Carmel City Hall.

Kent stated, "The Mayor's support and a story shown on 'Connecting with Carmel' on Carmel Government's Channel 16 really helped us when we were just starting out." Kent was also amazed to see the amount of support that a group of eighth grade students received from the City. The support truly helped to provide Net Literacy with the credibility it needed to enable the organization to go forth and try to make a difference.

For Net Literacy, "making a difference" includes providing increased computer access to over 65,000 individuals in four states, recruiting U.S. Senators Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh to serve as Net Literacy's Honorary Co-Chairs, and working together with State Representative David Orentlicher to have the Indiana Legislature pass the "Net Literacy Day" resolution. Net Literacy also has received awards from national leaders, ranging from an award received from former President Clinton to President Bush presenting an award during a White House ceremony.

Net Literacy also has received much support from the local business community. "Almost since our inception, Bright House Networks has been Net Literacy's primary partner in the Carmel and Marion County areas. Over the years, the company has contributed over $100,000 to support our efforts to promote computer literacy and Internet safety. Bright House really took a chance on a bunch of middle school students who asked them for support many years ago -- and that has made all the difference. Bright House Networks helps us in many ways, including providing one of their executives to serve on our Board of Directors," says Kent.

Currently, Carmel remains the hub of Net Literacy's activities with a new generation of student volunteers that repurpose computers and continue to teach senior citizens and others computer and Internet skills. Carmel High School students have named their Net Literacy club "Carmel Connects." Morgan Yang and Sachin Santhakumar serve as Co-Presidents of the Carmel Connects Club, and oversee a wide range of activities. "Every week, our club meets to repurpose computers, some of which go to eligible families of students at Carmel elementary schools. It's a great feeling to know that we're able to touch families and really help make a difference in these children's success at school," says Yang. Co-President Santhakumar agrees adding, "Another of our current initiatives is increasing internet safety awareness. We filmed three internet safety public service announcements in January that will run on Bright House cable, and are producing a one hour Internet safety program for high school students and their parents that will also be available to everyone on Bright House's local Video on Demand service." The internet safety production will be filmed by Carmel High School students.

"This is the fourth year that the Senior Connects/Net Literacy program has helped to teach Carmel senior citizens computer and Internet skills," says Omar Bari, team leader of a group of Carmel High School students who are finishing their third year of working with seniors at Manor Care at Summer Trace. Bari also stated, "This is my fourth year volunteering on Saturdays with the Senior Connects/Net Literacy program, and it's the greatest feeling helping them learn how to use email so they can stay in touch with their families. I don't know who gets the most out of it -- the senior citizens or us, the student volunteers."

"One important difference about Net Literacy is that it is student-empowered," says Will Petrovic, a Carmel High School Junior who was recently appointed to the Net Literacy Board. The nonprofit organization was founded by students and even today, student volunteers comprise half of Net Literacy's 20-person board. Students manage the four core programs as well as all of the day-to-day activities. Kelley added, "Because Net Literacy is student managed, we are always looking for our next generation of student leaders. Together with Carmel High School Junior Katherine Hill, Will represents the next year's leadership for Net Literacy."

"I am proud that the City was able to assist an organization that has engaged over 650 student volunteers during the past five years," says Mayor Brainard. "These students have done an extraordinary job helping to increase digital inclusion, and the City is proud to recognize them by a proclamation honoring them for five years of extraordinary service."

Nancy S. Heck is director of community relations for the city of Carmel. Contact Heck by email at NHeck@carmel.in.govNHeck@carmel.in.gov or call (317) 571-2494.

Daniel Kent '11 Helps Senior Citizens (and Others) Get Wired

Daniel Kent '11 receives the 2005 President's Volunteer Service Award from George W. Bush.

The first-year student's nonprofit, Senior Connects, has become Net Literacy, an organization that provides computers and instruction to underserved communities.

Thanks to the efforts of Daniel Kent ’11 and his friends, thousands of senior citizens are becoming as wired as their tech-savvy grandchildren.

It all started back in 2003, when Kent was a library volunteer in his hometown of Indianapolis, teaching Internet and computer skills to the elderly.

“This was my passion,” he explains. “I’ve been using computers since kindergarten.”

One day, he was chatting with an older gentleman whom he’d earlier instructed in the basics of e-mail. The man mentioned a friend back at his retirement home who had wanted to take the library’s computer classes, but was wheelchair-bound and lacked adequate transportation. “It struck a chord with me,” says Kent, “since I was a student and I felt that no one should be denied the opportunity to learn.”

And so Senior Connects was born. Kent and his friends conducted a community assessment to determine the need for a program that would send students into assisted and independent living facilities and teach computer skills to the residents. “Out of the 10 homes we surveyed, all of them were interested in such a program,” he says. The seniors offered a number of reasons for getting connected: “Everything from wanting to stay in contact with their grandchildren from wanting to play bridge online.” Kent and his group set up a schedule of four-to-five-month classes meeting every Saturday, with each senior assigned a student tutor with a lesson plan tailored to the tutee’s specific needs.

Getting Senior Connects established as a nonprofit, says Kent, was “the greatest initial barrier. There was a lot of legal framework to deal with, stuff that we as students didn’t know a whole lot about.” Fortunately, the teenagers received assistance from parents and local pro bono law firms, who showed them how to file for 501 status. Kent used the money he’d been saving for a car to get Senior Connects on its feet, and the group procured computers from libraries, corporations and government-run organizations.

At first, Kent had hoped that Senior Connects would be an entirely youth-run organization, with the Board of Directors composed of his peers. However, because of liability issues involved with minors being in charge of large sums of money, the board makeup became half youth, half adult, with Senators Evan Bayh (D) and Richard Lugar (R) serving as co-chairs and many community leaders—principals, attorneys, industry executives—getting involved. This situation ended up being beneficial for everyone: “We mentored the adults,” says Kent. “It also provided a good opportunity for us students to form contacts and network.”

In 2005, Senior Connects became one component of an umbrella organization formed by Kent and his friends called Net Literacy, which brings computers to people in underserved schools, neighborhoods and community centers. “We started reflecting on our role,” says Kent, “and realized it’s not only senior citizens who don’t have access to computers and the Internet.” Net Literacy co-sponsored a grant with a nonprofit called Save the Youth, providing its inner-city Indianapolis center with a new computer lab complete with machines that had been refurbished by students. Net Literacy also works with a grassroots effort to combat urban blight, and recently launched a $100,000 campaign to increase Internet safety for students and families across Indiana.

Kent has received several awards for his work with Senior Connects and Net Literacy, most notably the 2005 President’s Volunteer Service Award, which was presented to him by President Bush in a private ceremony at the White House. “It was pretty exhilarating,” he grins.

Kent served as youth chair of Net Literacy until he left for Haverford last year, and still sits on the organization’s board. He’s definitely interested in bringing Senior Connects to Haverford. “I’ve talked to a lot of individuals who have expressed interest in helping out,” he says, “and people in the administration have been supportive in encouraging me to start the program.”

Meanwhile, hopeful political science major Kent keeps busy at Haverford as a member of multiple student organizations, including Student Political Network (SPN), the Council of Twelve, the Howard Teaf Business Society, the Leadership Development Committee, and the Bi-Co News. His passion for computers hasn’t waned, nor has his desire to share that passion with others. “I look to bring Net Literacy and Senior Connects to Haverford and provide computers to those who do not have adequate, reliable Internet and computer access, educate youth and their parents about Internet safety, and work to partner with other local organizations to bridge the digital divide,” he says.

-Brenna McBride

DirectBuy Helps Bridge the Digital Divide

Published on: May 2nd, 2008 12:06am by: SDubin@PRWorkZone.com

Merrillville, IN (OPENPRESS) May 2, 2008 -- Net Literacy is a youth empowered nonprofit organization headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, that provides computer access to schools, charities, and libraries, in an effort to increase computer and Internet literacy, and Internet safety awareness. Net Literacy has provided computer access to over 80,000 individuals in hundreds of locations in Indiana, Illinois, Wyoming and Ohio.

Daniel Kent founded Net Literacy in 2003. Since then, he has served as president, youth chair, and member of the board. He’s currently a freshman at Haverford College. Daniel was recognized as Indiana’s Middle School Volunteer of the Year in 2003. He was also named a 2004 National "Points of Light" Winner, a Brick Award Winner in 2005, and has been recognized by a joint resolution from the Indiana State House and Senate. In 2005, Daniel was recognized by President George W. Bush as the recipient of the 2005 President’s Volunteer Service Award.

“DirectBuy is a socially responsible company that believes in giving back to others,” says Daniel Kent. “Their contribution of 100 computers will eventually touch thousands of individuals, since we donate many of our computers to create or expand public computer labs in schools, libraries, and nonprofits. We applaud DirectBuy for being environmentally friendly and socially responsible. When someone throws a computer out, it harms our environment because the monitors have toxins that pollute our landfills.”

For DirectBuy’s Senior Director of MIS, Donna Vaughan, the gratitude goes both ways. “We really admire Net Literacy and are thrilled that they will be able to refurbish and reuse our computers. We hope our donation will help facilitate computer literacy for years to come.”

Net Literacy provides computers so that computer labs can be established at hundreds of locations, increasing computer access to the underserved. Labs are set up in community centers, Section 8 and HUD apartments, independent living facilities, senior centers, schools, churches, and other nonprofits like the Boys and Girls Club and the Salvation Army. Net Literacy has over 100 student volunteers taking part in refurbishing the donated computers in an EPA compliant manner.

Net Literacy honorary board members include state leaders including US Senators Lugar and Bayh, Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed, former Mayor of Fort Wayne Graham Richard, and CET President Marv Bailey.

About DirectBuy

For more than 36 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furniture, carpet and flooring, and custom window treatments, to kitchen and bath cabinets and fixtures, appliances and much, much more.

DirectBuy enables members to purchase most every product offering from several hundred manufacturers and their authorized suppliers at more than 150 showrooms across North America. To request a “Free Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of DirectBuy membership, visit www.DirectBuy.com or www.DirectBuyCares.com.

Bright Hose, TechPoint to Donate Computers to IPS

InsideIndianaBusiness.com Report

August 20, 2007

The City of Indianapolis has declared today as “Bright House Networks and TechPoint Foundation Day” to recognize the firms’ civic engagement, support and community service and partnerships. The companies this morning donated 200 refurbished computers to Minnie Hartman School – IPS No. 78. A Large portion of the donated computers will be given to students to use in their homes.

INDIANAPOLIS – Two hundred refurbished computers were donated to an Indianapolis elementary school and its students today, a day the city of Indianapolis and partner Net Literacy declared as ‘Bright House Networks and TechPoint Foundation Day.’

This morning at IPS No. 78 Minnie Hartman School, located at 3734 E. Vermont St., Indianapolis Deputy Mayor Ellen Guigley and Net Literacy Executive Director Don Kent publicly honored both Bright House Networks for its active civic engagement, community service and financial contributions that have positively affected the city and its residents and TechPoint Foundation for its support of Net Literacy’s programs and community partnerships.

The computers are being donated to the school which in turn will distribute the majority of them to students and their families for use in their homes. Some computers will be utilized in the school’s computer lab and others will be used to teach keyboarding skills.

“I am very excited about this opportunity to connect students with technology. A computer is a valuable teaching tool that can greatly enhance a student’s home life as well as boost their classroom learning experience,” said Deputy Mayor Ellen Quigley.

The mission of Net Literacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is to empower youth to increase computer availability and Internet literacy throughout Indiana by focusing on underserved youth, families and seniors. U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar and U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh serve as honorary co-chairs and programs are conducted by hundreds of youth volunteer instructors. Net Literacy helps establish public computer labs for the underserved, supplies computer and Internet training materials and has provided trained youth instructors to lead computer skills and Internet literacy classes. Free-access computer labs have been established in such places as community centers, senior citizen centers, churches, federal housing communities and both independent- and assisted-living facilities.

Both Bright House Networks and TechPoint Foundation provide funding and support that enables Net Literacy to create and maintain community computer labs and equip them with fully-functioning refurbished computers. Bright House Networks further delivers computers to the various labs and wire the labs for Internet access.

Melissa Richards, Principal of Minnie Hartmann School 78, is enthusiastic about how these computers will impact her school. “I am excited that our students and parents will have additional access to technology in their homes. Increasing computer access in our students’ homes is one of the most effective ways of helping them become even more successful at school, Bright House Networks, the TechPoint Foundation and Net Literacy are making a difference at Minnie Hartmann.”

“It is critical that children learn basic computer skills at an early age and continue to build their skills throughout their life,” said Bright House Networks Indiana President Buz Nesbit. “It is also imperative that students’ parents and other family members be computer literate. In all communities that Bright House Networks serves, we focus our philanthropy resources on youth, education and community enhancement. With our partners Net Literacy and TechPoint Foundation, we are thankful to be making a difference in so many lives.”

Net Literacy’s Kent agrees. “This is also an outstanding example of how the Indianapolis community is working together and the impact that Bright House Networks, a local and socially responsible company, is having on our community,” he said. “The support of Bright House Networks and TechPoint Foundation has enabled Net Literacy to significantly expand computer access and instruction to more under served areas of our city.”

“Through its guidance and support, Bright House Networks enabled Net Literacy youth volunteers to achieve remarkable results in a very short time,” said TechPoint Foundation Executive Director Rip Taggart. “Our partnershipwith Bright House Networks is an inspiration to volunteers of all ages and to other companies that can provide resources and leadership to build these skills in our community.”

Bright House Networks began its partnership with Net Literacy in 2005 to increase computer access and Internet literacy throughout Central Indiana. The initial goal was to provide 30,000 residents with increased access to computers through the creation of community computer labs for underserved residents. Today, more than 100 computer labs are up and running, using Net Literacy computer and training materials. Net Literacy youth volunteer instructors also have taught basic computer skills and Internet literacy at some locations.

Since the partnership’s inception and the first computer lab sponsored by Bright House Networks opened in November 2005, more than 40,000 central Indiana residents have enjoyed increased access to computer, instruction and classes and the Internet.

Techpoint Bridge Builder Award

2007 - Daniel Kent

TechpointFoundation.org

In 2003, while still a middle school student, Daniel Kent, founded the Net Literacy Corporation, a 501 (c)(3) "youth empowered" non-profit organization that benefits from adult mentoring and direction. Now a high school senior attending Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, Daniel continues to grow and develop the corporation. Net Literacy’s mission is to empower youth to increase computer availability and Internet literacy for underserved youth, families, and senior citizens.

Net Literacy has four main initiatives that promote Internet and computer literacy: Senior Connects, Safe Connects, Community Connects, and Computer Connects. With over 400 middle and high school youth volunteers that visit numerous middle and high schools, the organization has an adult board, a youth board, and a full time adult mentor.

The Senior Connects Program, Net Literacy’s flagship program, promotes senior citizen computer and Internet literacy by supplying computers and training materials; or by building public computer labs and teaching senior citizens computer and Internet skills. Safe Connects provides education on Internet safety to elementary and middle school students, focusing on Net predators, adult content, net safety, and netiquette. The Community Connects program provides computer labs to HUD and Section 8 apartments, community centers, pre-school, after school, faith-based and other non-profits seeking to establish their own computer labs. The Computer Connects initiative brings student volunteers together once a week to repurpose thousands of computers in support of the Community Connects and Senior Connects programs.

Through Net Literacy, more than $500,000 has been raised in donations, $236,000 in college scholarships for inner-city volunteers. To date, over 400 students from schools in the Indianapolis and Fort Wayne metropolitan areas have volunteered to repurpose computers or teach in their communities and provide extensive one-on-one training.

Since 2005, TechPoint Foundation has supported Net Literacy’s efforts to increase computer access and literacy throughout Indiana, educate youth and adults about Internet safety, and promote youth philanthropy and community service. And TechPoint member companies have been important and enthusiastic Net Literacy community partners.

"We have worked with Daniel and his organization for several years and he is a great example of what the 'bridge builder' award is all about. As a company we are dedicated to helping corporate clients move, remove, and recycle retired technology, so working with Net Literacy has been perfect fit," says Mark Vander Kooy, president of Asset Forwarding Corporation. Through their partnership with Asset Forwarding and the Indiana Recycling Coalition, Net Literacy has provided reconditioned computers that now serve thousands of underserved youths, families, and senior citizens.

According to Bright House Networks, their partnership with Net Literacy has been good for the company and the Central Indiana community. "For the past three years, we’ve had a corporate mission of making life easier for our community and our customers," said Buz Nesbit, president of Bright House Networks Indiana. "We also strongly support improving the education of our youth. Because Daniel’s vision embraces both of those principles, we eagerly accepted the role of providing a 2006 grant to help defray costs of setting up the Net Literacy community outreach programs. And, because Net Literacy well exceeded its 2006 goals, we have continued our partnership and have provided them with another grant for 2007."

Daniel Kent and Net Literacy have been widely recognized by a distinguished list of community leaders and organizations that includes Presidents Clinton and Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Senator Robert Dole, the Indiana General Assembly, and the City of Indianapolis. It is with great pleasure that the TechPoint Foundation adds the 2007 Bridge Builder Award to these well-deserved honors.

Killer App Expo Conference Kicks Off

Ed Kohler

Source: TechnologyEvangelist

The mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Graham Richard, kicked off the Killer App Expo with a keynote speech outlining how technology investments have improved the lives of Fort Wayne residents.

Starting in 2000, Fort Wayne began investing in a fiber to the home initiative. The challenge is to transform the town from the "Rustbelt economy" it was built on while serving the under-served in the community.

The city faces common challenges, such as decreasing revenue at the same time as demands for government services increase. Average annual wages have been training US metro areas, largely due to a loss of high paying lower-skill jobs.

A study by the city determined that access to broadband was ranked #2 behind quality workforce by companies deciding where to locate new offices. This confirmed that building a robust Internet infrastructure would be a wise investment for business recruiting and job growth.

Fort Wayne's fiber to the premises initiative created 900 new jobs, bringing FiOS connections to 128,000 homes and businesses. "Real time interactivity . . . on steroids" is the power of high speed broadband. Face to face interaction over the Internet provides powerful high value collaborative applications.

The city has a demo green home / smart home with examples of what can be done to make your home both more energy efficient and wired. On the wired side, the home included IP controlled lighting and thermostats, allowing you to control the home's temperature and lighting settings from work.

A Net Literacy campaign connects tech natives, including high school students, with seniors to teach them how to use a computer, email and the web. In return, seniors can mentor teens using their new-found tech skills.

The mayor and the city seem to be taking technology very seriously. They see it as not just a perk, but a must-have in order to compete in an ever flatter world.

Look for interviews later today from the Killer App Expo Conference on Technology Evangelist.

The older you are, the more likely you are to steer clear of a computer. …For people over 65, the rate of computer usage dwindles to only 26 percent.

This article is reprinted courtesy of Broadband Properties Magazine.

A recent study found that 99 percent of U.S. public schools have access to computers and the Internet, and that young people are using the Internet more today that they did a year ago.

That same study also found that only a little more than a quarter of Americans 65 and older are Internet-literate.

Meet the digital divide.

The older you are, the more likely you are to steer clear of a computer. The Pew Internet and American Life Project study found that 84 percent of all 18- to 29-year-olds use the computer. That number falls to 80 percent for people 30 to 49 and 78 percent for people 50 to 64. For people over 65, the rate of computer usage dwindles to only 26 percent.

The numbers shouldn't surprise us. Those who learn when they're young to use the Internet and who feel comfortable with Googling and instant messaging are more likely to continue those skills when they get older.

When those who are Internet illiterate were asked why they didn't use the Internet, they said it was because they're too old, like talking in person better than over a machine or are afraid of identity theft. And, they're just plain scared.

Enter the Teens

Who better to help computer-shy seniors learn than teenagers who take to computers like ducks to water? This spring in Fort Wayne, Indiana, teenagers are teaching senior citizens basic Internet skills. When the sessions are complete, organizers hope that seniors will be able to do everything from sending e-mails, ordering from online catalogues and researching information about their Medicare benefits.

Mostly, these teens are helping senior citizens feel more comfortable with technology so that they can stay connected.

The program - Net Literacy - is a new initiative for Fort Wayne, but is an extension of a program that began in Indianapolis in 2004 as a way to create a youth-powered community outreach organization. It's making a difference to thousands of Hoosier senior citizens. Fort Wayne is the first city outside of the state capital to use the program to bring together the generational and the digital divide.

It's a natural fit for Fort Wayne, one of the most connected cities in the country. In 2005, the city launched iTeams - citizen committees - to more strategically promote innovation and investment in the city. While Fort Wayne ranks 45th in the country in terms of Internet literacy among cities with populations of 200,000 or more, residents of Fort Wayne are eager to learn.

That's one of the reasons that Verizon jumped on board to provide $25,000 toward the Net Literacy program. That sponsorship comes in addition to a nearly $75 million investment in providing FiOS fiber optics to more than 100,000 Fort Wayne homes and businesses.

Support from All Quarters

The program has attracted other community support as well. Fort Wayne Community Schools - our local school district - and Fort Wayne Urban League have helped recruit and identify teen mentors. The Urban League also helped recruit senior citizens for the program and opened its computer lab for training sessions. Adaptive Micro-Ware, a Fort Wayne company, and Asset Forwarding, based in Indianapolis, have provided programming and computer upgrades. Companies throughout Fort Wayne donated nearly 200 computers for the program.

Daniel Jones, a 17-year-old Wayne High School senior and one of the program's first mentors, was looking forward to meeting his first student when we talked to him. He began learning about computers in school when he was 10, but says he sympathizes with senior citizens who didn't grow up with the same technology.

"I think this is a great way to help people learn about computers," he said. "We teenagers are able to do something to help people learn something new."

That's just the beginning of the benefits of Net Literacy.

iTeams are exploring initiatives related to education, economic development, public safety, and, of course, seniors. The range of topics appears endless, says Mayor (and former venture capitalist) Graham Richard.

Senior citizens can feel left behind in a world that rapidly is changing all around them. Their grandchildren would rather communicate online than talk on the telephone. And then there's the phone company and the electric company, the local bank and even the Internal Revenue Service telling customers - telling seniors - to go online for more information, to pay their bills, file their taxes, even to get information about the new Medicare Part D program. Everything's online and seniors are finding themselves frustrated that they don't have the access they need.

Net Literacy will teach these skills. Beyond that, teens will help senior citizens stay connected to their families. They can learn how to download photos of their grandchildren, for example, or even use Web sites to play games and keep their minds active.

Benefits for the Community

While the personal benefits are great for seniors, communities also benefit when their residents are Internet-literate. Net illiteracy diminishes the quality of life, reduces competitiveness and life options, and closes people off from a world of information, entertainment and communications.

Net Literacy is also unusual in that it brings together people who otherwise would not have met.

With the Urban League as a partner, it provides a common ground for teens and seniors to meet. We're hoping that this will bridge the digital divide and the generational divide.

"The Net Literacy program has taught me how to work with others, which is important because everyone is different," said Cierra Jackson, 15, and a North Side High School sophomore. "Think about your grandparents, and imagine teaching them about the computer and seeing the smiles on their faces."

I know from personal experience that Net Literacy is going to change lives. At age 82, my father's vision loss prevented him from being able to drive.

We bought him a computer and engaged a high school student to train my father on the computer. My dad became a computer wiz.

Being able to bring young people together to make that kind of difference in the lives of others is a very powerful program - one that we'll all be benefiting from for years to come.

© 2006 Copyright by KillerApp

Donate computers at Janus

IndyStar.com

NOBLESVILLE – Janus Developmental Services, 1555 Westfield Road, is a drop-off location for computer donations for Senior Connects and Net Literacy.

Used monitors, keyboards, mice, and Pentirum Two and more recent computers will be accepted. Net Literacy volunteers will wipe hard drives clean, and donations are tax deductible.

Senior Connects is a nonprofit organization, started by Carmel teen Daniel Kent, that is part of the Net Literacy network. Through the network, volunteers, primarily high school students, provide one-on-one computer training to seniors and underprivileged families and youth. They also refurbish computers, which are then installed in senior and community centers, low-income housing, and churches.

Teens say benefits of blogging worth the risks

IndyStar.com - April 16, 2006

By Britany Lewis, 16, and Zoë Hayes, 17

Despite these warnings, kids continue to post their intimate thoughts and photographs online.Blogs, which have been around since the late 1990s, have grown exponentially.

They are high-tech versions of yesterday's diaries, and kids use them to update friends about day-to-day experiences, announce parties, make confessions of love and spread rumors of the schoolyards. Blogs have grown simply because the technology is easier and faster and no longer requires knowledge of HTML.

"Now, you can do it at the speed of light. You can do really any type of personal content you want. You can put it on a blog and share it with the rest of the world instantaneously," said Michael Hanley, a Ball State University professor who teaches advertising.

Three years ago, Perseus Development Corp., a Web-based survey research company, reported that 90 percent of blog users were under the age of 30; and that 2.12 million blogs, or 51 percent of all blogs, were created by teens.

In early 2005, the Braintree, Mass., company reported that 31.6 million blogs were created on services such as MySpace.com, LiveJournal and Xanga.com.

Teens in this area reflect the national trend. Zach Ammerman, 16; Matthew Farris, 16; Valerie Coulter, 15; and Danielle Treece, 16, all have MySpace accounts.

And while these teens have heard all the warnings, many believe the dangers will never affect them.

"If you just use common sense, I don't think there's any large risk of being stalked or anything," said Zach, who edits a news-and-opinion blog with fellow Lebanon High School sophomore Matthew.

"I mean, there's probably a small risk, but it's just like any risk: Anytime you go outside there's a risk of a plane crashing on you or something weird, pedophiles and stalkers, people that are mad at me could verbally abuse me online or something. I guess those are the dangers, but I don't think there's a huge risk of that happening," said Zach, who writes regularly for Today's Awakening.

Others agree and generally believe that parents overreact to the dangers associated with the online activity. Matthew, in particular, wonders if anybody cares about "a 16-year-old boy living in the middle of nowhere."

Weighing the risks

Valerie says that many students weigh the benefits against the dangers.

"Teenagers especially are in the mind-set that they are invincible. I mean I know I am. You think that it can't happen to you, so teenagers are a little bit more reckless with their personal information," said Valerie, who until recently contributed to Today's Awakening.

Unlike diaries, which are kept under lock and key, blogs have openness in today's cyberculture that many adults feel is naïve.

"The danger is not knowing who will be looking at it and what their motivations are," said Hanley. "Let the blogger beware that there are people out there that like to look at blogs and may not be for the reason you want them to look at the blog. If there's anything that you don't want somebody in the world to know about you, you should not put it in a blog because somebody could very easily know it."

Morgan Starks, a Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School junior, agrees, and last summer decided to do something about it. Morgan, who does not have a personal blog, worked with seven public and private high school students to begin Safe Connects, a program of Net Literacy. Their goal is to train elementary and middle school students about safety on the Internet.

The group's first presentation was offered last month in Carmel for Creekside Middle School parents and students. Specifically, the group teaches students what types of information they should post.

Common sense, most would agree, is the key.

"Everyone has their moral boundaries, so you should be able to understand what you should put on and what you shouldn't. But obviously you shouldn't put your name, your address, your ZIP code, your phone number," said Matthew.

And while they agree about what personal information to post, the teens disagree about the appropriateness of photos. Danielle thinks photos give a sense of her personality. Most of these teens think it is a way to continue relationships with friends and family.

"Mine's public because I wouldn't write anything I didn't want people to read," said Danielle, a Warren Central High School sophomore.

"Just be aware that the Net isn't private -- anybody can go -- teachers, parents, your friends, whoever, strangers. Whatever you write, anybody can see it," said Morgan.

While some students blog for entertainment, others blog to expand their social network. Kids from smaller communities see blogging as one way to accomplish this.

"You can meet different people that you would never expect to meet. Lebanon is such a small town that just about everybody is either related or very close friends with somebody, so everybody kind of ends up being almost the same. But by meeting other people from different places, you can learn something completely different," said Valerie

Everybody's doing it

These teens cite peer pressure as one reason for the rapid increase.

"Everyone that I know has a MySpace, and if you had a MySpace, normally then you blog yourself. And I guess it's just a lot because everyone is doing it, and probably because it's a way to talk to people that you don't get to talk to, or to know what's going on in someone's life that you don't talk to on a regular basis or don't know that well," said Danielle.

"I use MySpace pretty much like everyone else in the world, and I blog things that aren't really very important at all," Danielle said. "Mostly I talk about the speech team and my friends and things that are going on in my life."

And adults, too, read blogs, supporting parents' apprehensions. According to Pew Internet and American Life Project, "Close to 60 percent of teens have received an instant message or e-mail from a stranger, and 50 percent report e-mailing or instant messaging with someone they have not met.

So it's important that teenagers and even adults monitor their blogs. And while there are some filters for Internet sites, there are limitations for blogs.

Morgan's advice to parents is simple: "Basically I would tell parents to not spy on their children, but to just ask them, you know, what Web sites they go to and things like that. Just as long as they keep communicating and asking questions they should be safe," she said.

Luke Hovee, 17, a home-schooled student, doesn't blog.

"I'm sure everybody wastes their time in different ways. I waste my time on video games," Luke said. "I have several friends who think (blogging is) just plain evil. I think that it's kind of boring."

"I agree absolutely," said Morgan. "I mean, I see that blogging can be fun and it's a good way to say in touch with friends, but I think there are better ways to spend your free time."

Hanley suggests that this is not the first time technology has changed communication.

"It happened 100 years ago with the telephone," he said.

"It's just kind of a natural evolutionary thing as it keeps moving forward. Depending on what research service you look at, there are between 20 and 30 million blogs out there today, and they're adding something like 10,000 blogs a day around the world."

Neighbors: Morgan Starks

Indianapolis Star - July 14, 2005

Age: 16.

Family: Parents, Roger and Jori Starks; sister, Brooke Starks.

Pet: Max, a Labrador mix.

Residence: Pike Township.

School: Will be a junior at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School.

Accomplishments: Created a program to introduce Internet safety education and training to school systems. The program educates elementary and middle school students about predators, spyware, protecting passwords, and more safety and precautionary measures. Recently, she briefed Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson about her program and Indiana Net Literacy Week.

Best thing about your school: "Brebeuf encourages freedom of expression and has many caring faculty members."

Why you created the Internet safety and education program: "Internet safety is not taught in schools right now, but it is an important topic that should be taught in addition to fire safety and drug prevention."

Favorite subject: English.

Favorite teacher: "I've had several great teachers."

A safety tip for people using the Internet: "Be careful when sharing personal information with others."

If I were president: "I would want everyone to have health care."

One thing most people probably don't know about you: "I really like art, so my room is decorated with my original paintings."

At school: Book Club, Student Council.

Most embarrassing moment: "Spilling a pitcher of punch at my eighth birthday party."

Advice for others: "Relax. Everyone needs to take a break from the daily routine."

People you most admire and why: "My parents, because they set a good example for me."

If you could ask anyone, anything: "I would ask Oprah for tickets to her 'favorite things' episode."

Plans for the future: "To go to college and have a successful career."

A member of the Carmel Clay Public Library Teen Volunteer Corps (Carmel, IN) who offered computer tutoring for adults, Daniel Kent had a brainstorm when he was in the eighth grade.

One of his "students" mentioned that a neighbor in his retirement home couldn't come to the library for tutoring because he was in a wheelchair.

"I really felt bad," says Daniel, 17. "His friend should not be denied the opportunity to learn just because he cannot get out."

So the current Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (Carmel, IN) junior searched for an organization he could volunteer with -- one that would take computer tutoring into retirement homes. When he found no such group, he decided to start one himself.

Now, Senior Connects refurbishes donated used computers and gives them to retirement homes. The organization also offers computer instruction to seniors.

Thanks to Senior Connects, about 11,000 seniors in 70 retirement homes across Indiana now have computer access. And the organization is growing, establishing computer labs in low-income neighborhoods. About 150 teen volunteers work under the umbrella of Net Literacy, the organization that includes all of Daniel's efforts.

"I would love for it to grow globally so individuals all over the world could have the opportunity to learn and communicate via computers and the Internet," he says.

"It's just a great team effort. One person can make a difference, but together we can change the world."

Hamilton County Towns and Cities Unite for a Computer Recycling Drive

This recycling project is in preparation for Indiana Net Literacy Week, where Senator Bayh and Lugar are Honorary Co-Chairpersons -

Do you have an older computer or monitor and didn't know where to dispose of it - or did you want to donate a computer to a nonprofit so that it could be repurposed for underserved youths, families, and seniors - and receive a tax write off? Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, and Fishers have united with Net Literacy/Senior Connects and Asset Forwarding to reduce toxins from being placed in landfills and are conducing a FREE county-wide computer drive.

Computer Donation Schedule

• July 19th - Noblesville Public Safety Building - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (for Noblesville and Hamilton County)
• July 20th - Westfield Town Hall - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (for Westfield
• July 21st - Fishers' Train Station - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (for Fishers)
• July 22nd - )- Carmel City Hall - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (for Carmel)
• July 18th through July 22nd - Asset Forwarding, any day during this week 7965 Allison Avenue, Indianapolis, IN - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM for any towns or cities (228-9091)

Net Literacy and Senior Connects are nonprofits run by student volunteers that donate computers to underserved youths, families, and seniors in Hamilton County and throughout Indiana. Asset Forwarding is a secure data elimination facility whose businesses includes logistics, repurposing, and EPA compliant recycling - and have partnered to help Net Literacy as a community service project.

"The Senior Connects program has been a wonderful asset to the senior citizens of our community. This program serves the important purpose of helping seniors stay connected with their family and friends through Internet and emails. The City of Carmel is pleased to allow the organization to use Carmel City Hall as a computer drop off to aid in the continuation of this valuable group."

- Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard

Everyone contributing will receive a receipt for their donation, and a portion of the reusable computers are donated in the community from which they originated. As an example, the Westfield School system donated 100 computers to Net Literacy earlier this year, and 50 of them will be repurposed to Westfield residents. Also, HUD and Section 8 Apartments (with greater than 50 units) will receive a computer so that computer accessibility is enhanced throughout the county. Senior Connects has previously provided all independent and assisted living facilities computers within Hamilton County.

"In today's world, it's extremely important for people of all ages to be computer literate. Not only does it allow people to easily access a wealth of information, but it's also a great way to keep in touch with family and friends. I applaud Senior Connects for everything they do to help people feel more confident in working with computers and the Internet."

- Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear

In February, each of these cities and towns officially issued proclamations specifying February 21st a "Intergenerational for Youths to Help Adults With Computer and Net Literacy," and PrimeLife Enrichment and Senior Connects teamed together to answer computer questions, provide free computer monitors, and free computer software that was made available to all Hamilton County residents at PrimeLife Enrichment's facility.

"The Town of Fishers is proud to be involved with Senior Connects and its work. We support encouraging youth, adults, and senior residents of Fishers to become computer and Internet literate to improve their quality-of-life, and empowering citizens through technology to be better connected with friends and family."

- Fishers Town Council President Scott A. Faultless

Senior Connects has taught residents and provided or expanded computer facilities in 70 independent and assisted living facilities in during the past twelve months in Indiana, benefiting almost 11,000 Hoosiers. However, Internet illiteracy issues are not solely the domain of senior citizens. Underserved youths, children that have not been taught Internet safety and families living in apartments with public assistance often have an especially difficult time obtaining access to computers. While Senior Connects Corporation remains a youth-managed 501(c)(3) corporation; now, the scope of enhancing computer and Internet literacy to children, families, and seniors has been expanded through the establishment of Net Literacy, an organization designed to provide adult mentoring to Senior Connects and directly manage the Internet safety programs, distribution of computers to schools for families on public assistance and are unable to purchase a computer for their elementary school aged children to do homework, and for families living in HUD and Section 8 apartments that have 50 or more dwelling units. The Indiana Legislature has passed Resolution 85, Indiana Net Literacy Week, and Senator Lugar and Bayh have agreed to serve as Co-Chairpersons. Included in the partnership is the AARP, the National Association of Student Councils, and the Urban Leagues, among other national and local organizations. Indiana Net Literacy Week will take place in January, and will be the first coordinated "Internet literacy" program every conducted in any of the 50 states.

"Westfield is proud to be a part of the Senior Connects project to collect computers for seniors. We feel strongly that the seniors of our community should have the opportunity to connect to the internet to stay involved with community and national events."

- Jerry Rosenberger, Westfield Town Manager

You can help during the Hamilton County Computer Recycling Week by dropping off a computer at the city or town halls during the designated day as described in the chart depicted above, or any day that week at Asset Forwarding. Net Literacy and Senior Connects appreciates Asset Forwarding's graciousness and generosity by agreeing to assist Senior Connects' and Net Literacy's recycling program as a community service project. Additional information on Asset Forwarding can be found at www.assetforwarding.com and additional information on Senior Connects/Net Literacy can be found at www.seniorconnects.org.

December 01, 2005 - During the holiday season, local families will pause from their busy schedules to help those in need. The holiday spirit-no matter which holiday you celebrate-often inspires us to feed the hungry, cloth the needy and reach out to those less fortunate in our community and beyond.

This holiday, Indy's Child profiles three amazing teens whose efforts touch the lives of people both in our community and around the world all year. Their innovative ideas and dedication to causes they care about have earned each of them distinguished volunteer awards this year.

We hope their stories will inspire your own family to volunteer-whether through new or continued efforts-during the holidays and all year long.

Daniel Kent

A chance conversation three years ago lead Daniel Kent on a volunteer odyssey that has brought computer access and skills to thousands of senior citizens and low-income children across Central Indiana.

As a volunteer with the Teen Volunteer Corps at the Carmel Clay Public Library, Kent served as an aide in a senior computer course. Following one session, a gentleman told Kent that he had a friend who would love to learn about computers but who couldn't come to the library because of mobility problems.

"I strongly felt no one should be denied the opportunity to learn, especially since computers are becoming so important today," remembers Kent, now a junior at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School.

Kent did an informal survey of local retirement communities and found that no one offered computer classes at the facilities. With the help of a few friends-and the generosity of the library, which allowed him to use its curriculum - Kent went to the Forum at the Crossing and taught his first class.

Eventually, Kent created Senior Connects, a nonprofit organization in which teen volunteers teach computer and Internet skills to seniors, often on a one-on-one basis. Kent spent $4,000 of his own money, which he had been saving to buy a car, on legal fees to incorporate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

After fine-tuning the curriculum, Kent made it available on a Web site (www.seniorconnects.org) so that other teens could use the training methodology and begin their own programs.

Soon, Kent found he needed to expand the scope of Senior Connects.

"We ran into the problem that many seniors don't have access to computers," he explained. "So, we started to get into the computer refurbishing business."

Senior Connects has provided computers or advanced computer access to more than 70 different retirement homes in central Indiana, reaching more than 11,000 seniors.

Today an estimated 150 teen volunteers are involved in Senior Connects. The organization is managed by a group of teen board members with the help of a few adult mentors. Students from a variety of central Indiana schools are involved.

Last year, Kent and his co-volunteers realized that seniors aren't the only group in Central Indiana who need help gaining computer access. They decided to expand their efforts and started another nonprofit organization called Net Literacy Corporation, designed to increase computer availability and Internet literacy for underserved youth, families and seniors.

Net Literacy's first initiative, called Youth Connects, provided a dozen computers to Indianapolis families on public assistance. Other future components of Net Literacy include:

• Safe Connects: To educate children about Internet safety. A curriculum is now being developed for elementary and middle school children.
• Computer Connects: To upgrade or create new computer labs in low-income housing facilities.
• EPA Compliant Computer Recycling.
• Net Literacy Week: Slated for April 2006, youth are working to organize computer awareness fairs around the state. Senators Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh are honorary chairs.

Kent is proud of what he and his friends have created.

"I hope the organization continues to experience growth and that one day everyone will have equal opportunities to access the Internet," Kent says. "The Internet is bringing together everyone throughout the world-except for those who don't have access to it. Today, that's really becoming a disability."

Kent encourages other teens to get involved where they see a need.

"Never be afraid to dream, and dream big," he says. "With hard work and team work, anything is possible."

In 2005, Net Literacy has been recognized by President George Bush, former President Bill Clinton, and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. This fall, Kent earned one of the inaugural Power of Children Awards presented by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis to honor and empower the selfless efforts of middle and high school students throughout Indiana. As one of four winners, Kent earned a $2,000 recognition award to further his work and a Sam H. Jones Community Service Scholarship to be used for post-secondary education at IUPUI.

To learn more about volunteering or donating to Senior Connects or Net Literacy, visit their Web sites at www.seniorconnects.org and www.netliteracy.org

Roll Call Project: INDIANA

Senior Connects is a youth and seniors partnership. Specifically, it’s a youth run not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that recruits primarily high school and college students to visit independent living facilities and teach seniors basic computer and Internet skills using our proven method of training.These volunteers use the Senior Connects training methodology to empower seniors so they can email friends.

Teen's passion spreads 'Net savvy

Brebeuf senior teaches computer skills to those who need it most

By Robert Annis

November 15, 2006

CARMEL -- Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory senior Daniel Kent volunteers because he has a passion for it and thousands of central Indiana residents are reaping the benefits.

The 18-year-old Carmel resident shares his computer and Internet knowledge with seniors, underserved school children, low-income families, parents, school and church groups.

"At first it (volunteering) was a chore, then it was a duty and now it's a passion," he said, noting that both of his parents have encouraged him to volunteer for years.

While serving as a volunteer instructional aide for a computer class at Carmel Clay Public Library five years ago, Kent struck up a conversation with one of the seniors taking the class. The man told him he knew several people who wanted to take a class but couldn't because they lived in retirement homes or were wheelchair-bound and didn't have reliable transportation.

This struck a nerve with Kent, he said, so he decided to find a volunteer organization that could help. Finding none, he started his own nonprofit group, Senior Connects.

Kent spends most Saturday afternoons either refurbishing computers at Sanders Glen Retirement Community in Westfield or teaching seniors at Summer Trace Retirement Center in Carmel. Public computer labs have been started at each independent-living facility in Hamilton County with computers from Senior Connects.

Senior Connects classes are typically small -- usually five students working one-on-one with five teachers. Over a course of three to four months, seniors are taught basic computer skills, Internet techniques and how to send e-mails and digital attachments.

"I enjoy listening to their stories and being around them," Kent said of the thousands of seniors he's helped. "Nothing makes me happier than seeing a senior receive their first e-mail from a family member or longlost friend. Their smiles are the best part."

Senior Connects is now part of a broader Net Literacy network that includes Youth Connects, Computer Connects and Safe Connects. Youth Connects helps underserved school children. Computer Connects helps economically disadvantaged families in low-income housing neighborhoods. Safe Connects teaches Internet safety to parents and school and church groups.

Kent estimates that up to 50,000 people in the Indianapolis metropolitan area now have computer access because of his group. Most of the 2,000 computers donated to the program are older Pentium II and III models, but are refurbished and perfectly adequate for the people using them.

Senators Richard Lugar, R-Ind., and Evan Bayh, D-Ind., are the honorary cochairpersons of Net Literacy and the group's board includes mostly adults. About 150 school-age volunteers help run the program, he said.

"Students gain computer expertise and develop leadership skills," Kent said.

Kent, who last month won an award from the National Caring Institute for his work with Net Literacy, said the group has received more than $700,000 in grants to complete its mission.

Net Literacy will soon expand to Carmel and Westfield high schools, and also across the continent. Kent has been contacted by people in San Jose, Calif., Syracuse, N.Y., and Winnipeg, Canada, about starting up branches in those cities.

When he goes to college next year -- he just started the application process and is primarily looking at schools on the East Coast -- he hopes to start a branch wherever he lands.

The group's Web site, www.netliteracy.org, has a host of free resources for people wanting to start their own version of the program. He hopes to spread the program across the country in the next five to 10 years.

Call staff writer Robert Annis at (317) 444-5572

Connecting seniors to the Internet

New York Times Upfront, Nov 14, 2005

In 2003, Daniel Kent of Carmel, Ind., founded Senior Connects, a nonprofit organization that makes computers and computer classes available to thousands of senior citizens in Indiana. Now 17, this Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School junior spoke with Upfront about his volunteer work.

What attracted you to working with seniors?

Seniors have lived incredible lives. They've provided so much for our community ... so I wanted to help them ... to [broaden] their world by using computers and the Internet as a means of corresponding with their family members and neighbors.

How many volunteers do you have?

We have about 150. It originally started with some friends, but now it's expanded and we're working with local high schools and the National Urban League, AARP, and the National Honor Society.

What do seniors use their computers for?

They enjoy sending e-mails and looking up news and sports. Topics like Medicare and Medicaid are now found on the Internet, so it's vital for us to help them learn how to access the proper information.

What future do you envision for Senior Connects?

I would love to see it expand worldwide and provide an equal opportunity to everyone to learn the computer and utilize it as a tool for greater learning.

Mayor to present Character Counts award to Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School student

INDIANAPOLIS - Mayor Bart Peterson will present June's Character Counts award to Daniel Kent, a 17-year-old sophomore at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School. Daniel created a nonprofit corporation, Senior Connects, that supplies senior citizens with equipment and training. He recruited and trained 100 students to volunteer on Saturday mornings at local senior facilities, teaching basic Internet, e-mail, and computer game skills.

Kent has been recognized nationally for his volunteerism. Last month, he was named one of America's top ten youth volunteers by Prudential Financial, Inc., and received a $10,000 donation to Senior Connects from DoSomething.org presented to him by former President Bill Clinton. President Bush recognized Daniel two weeks ago at a White House ceremony for outstanding youth volunteers.

At the award presentation, Daniel will discuss a new endeavor with Indiana Net Literacy, a resolution passed by the Indiana General Assembly to help low income families with computer literacy.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 29

             3:30 - 4 p.m.

WHERE: Mayor's Conference Room

               2522 City-County Building

Mayor Peterson created his Character Counts award in January of 2000. He awards students for exemplary acts of kindness and character. Mayor Peterson's Character Counts Award also recognizes Marion County Public Schools for their character education efforts.

YOUNG HOOSIER PHILANTHROPISTS

www.ypin.org

The E-Chronicle will feature a monthly highlight of Young Hoosier Philanthropists who are doing outstanding work in giving their time, talent and treasure for the common good. Organizations across Indiana are invited to send an article describing the young person and the outstanding work they are doing (100-150 words).

Please send a picture by e-mail if possible that we can include with the article to jfinn@ypin.org. These outstanding young philanthropists will be featured in the E-Chronicle as well as be archived on our web site so that other Hoosier youth can be inspired from the good work they do.

Our first Young Hoosier Philanthropist to be featured is Daniel Kent (pictured), a junior at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis who became aware of the isolation of many older people. With $4,000 he had saved for a car, he founded Senior Connects, a youth-managed program that addresses the need for senior citizens to become more computer savvy. By fall of 2005, he had raised more than $120,000 in cash and computers and created a network of 100 high-school student volunteers to teach almost 11,000 seniors to utilize computers to keep in touch with family members through email, learn more about areas of interest or find out about services and events in the community. Senior Connects is now one of four programs offered - under a re-named corporate umbrella www.netliteracy.org. ABC Network recently flew crews in from NYC and LA to Indianapolis to do a show on Net Literacy. Daniel and his network of high school volunteers are outstanding Young Hoosier Philanthropists!

Schools roundup

Carmel

IndyStar.com

Creekside Middle School will host an Internet safety informational meeting at 7 p.m. March 16 in the school auditorium, 3525 W. 126th St.

The program is intended for College Wood Elementary fifth-graders and their parents and Creekside sixth-graders and parents.

Because more and more students access the Internet and use sites that may encourage them to post personal information, Net Literacy, an organization that promotes appropriate Internet use, will host this 45-minute meeting. The presentation will help parents ensure that their children are going online safely.

Don Kent, president of Net Literacy, said a team of students from Carmel High School and Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School have developed program Safe Connects after receiving a grant from Youth as Resources, Lilly Endowment, Bright House Networks and the Techpoint Foundation in partnership with the Central Indiana Community Foundation. "This is a unique program," Kent said. "High school students will teach fifth- and sixth-graders and their parents how to use the Internet safely."

Carmel High School students who are involved include freshman Katherine Hill and juniors Kyle Egbert, Chris Gecewicz and Doug Snelling.

Bright House Networks Teams With Indiana Net Literacy Project to Expand Internet, Computer Access

Indianapolis, Ind.

The Indiana Net Literacy Program has added a new component to its statewide goal of increasing computer availability and Internet literacy throughout Indiana.

Thanks to a new partnership with one of the state’s largest cable providers, Bright House Networks (BHN), Indiana Net Literacy Program plans to make an even bigger impact in central Indiana.

According to 17-year-old Daniel Kent, founder of Indiana Net Literacy Program, the partnership with Bright House Networks will help the organization achieve its mission of empowering youths to increase computer availability and Internet literacy throughout Indiana.

"There are numerous communities and people that we can help in the Bright House Networks footprint," said Kent, who is a junior at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School. "We want to focus our efforts on underserved youths, families, and seniors, and thanks to Bright House Networks, we will be able to do that more effectively."

The Indiana Net Literacy Program relies on high school and middle school student volunteers to teach computer skills to senior citizens and to people who aren’t used to computers or the Internet. Additionally, the program offers outreach opportunities to educate elementary and middle school students and being safe when using the Internet. The program also wants to increase the number of computers or computer labs at independent living facilities, nonprofit organizations, and at Section 8 and HUD apartments.

"Bright House Networks is a company that strives to make a positive impact in our community," said Buzz Nesbit, Indiana Division President of Bright House Networks. "Daniel Kent and the Indiana Net Literacy Program have made an improved difference on Hoosiers, and we’re proud to be theirpartner in growing this project."

Founded in 2004, the Net Literacy Corporation is a 501(c)(3) "youth empowered" nonprofit organization with four programs: Senior Connects, Safe Connects, Computer Connects, and Youth Connects. During the last year, the organization provided nearly 11,000 Hoosiers with enhanced or new access to computers.

Bright House Networks of Indiana is one of Central Indiana's leading cable providers. A privately held company, Bright House Networks is managed by Advance/Newhouse Communications. Bright House Networks Indiana division has over 120,000 customers in the old city limits of Indianapolis, as well as Carmel, Zionsville, Fortville, Avon, Pittsboro, Lizton and Marion, Indiana. The company has been serving the Indianapolis community for over 22 years and has more than 450 local employees.

Local News

January 2, 2007

Our view: Teen's passion lies in making people smile, teaching

Computer wiz empowers others with 'Net knowledge as 2006's Citizen of the Year.

It's easy to be enthusiastic when talking about Daniel Kent. What's hard is figuring out how the Carmel 18-year-old can do so much so enthusiastically.

Daniel is dedicated, civic-minded, humble and selfless. He's the kind of person who's going to grow up to be someone, and people are going to say proudly, "He came from Hamilton County."

He received many awards the past few years and is well on his way to a full résumé of achievement. We're pleased that the most recent one was being named 2006 Topics Newspapers Citizen of the Year, an award our company has presented for 12 years, most recently in a partnership with St. Vincent Carmel Hospital.

Want proof of his dedication?

Daniel's passion lies in teaching, and his personal calling is, simply, making people smile. By dedicating his free time and sharing his computer and Internet knowledge, he made more than 50,000 people in Hamilton and Marion counties smile during the past three years. They included senior citizens, underserved school children, low-income families and parents.

While many of his peers were using this time in their lives to discover what's in the world for them, this teenager was finding a way to help elderly people uncover ways to not lose touch with the world. Classes given through his Senior Connects program teach them how to get digital photos of their grandchildren and use e-mail to stay in touch with family and friends.

Want proof of his selflessness?

After Daniel started Senior Connects when he was 15, he wanted to incorporate it as a nonprofit organization, which opens the doors for Net Literacy to get grants and tax-deductible donations. But he needed money to cover the legal fees.

He found it -- in his own savings account. Daniel used the $4,000 he had squirreled away to buy a car. Additionally, whenever those awards he's received came with monetary rewards, the money went straight to the organizations he's founded because he felt he won the accolades on behalf of the agencies.

Want proof of his humbleness?

"He was out of school for a week, and when he came back, I asked him if he was sick," said Annie Hilbert, one of his teachers at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory. "He said he was tired." What Daniel didn't say was that he'd been in Washington, meeting President Bush, as he accepted an award for outstanding volunteerism. He met former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Colin Powell the same way.

Daniel marches to his own beat -- he customarily wears a bow tie at school -- and people who know him say he's intelligent, caring and driven.

He's applied to several colleges and is waiting to hear back from them before he knows where he'll be in the fall. But wherever it is, he plans to continue the network of programs on campus that he's started under the umbrella Net Literacy organization.

Like the 11 Topics Newspapers Citizens of the Year that preceded him, Daniel Kent has a passion for what he does and a determination to do it to the best of his ability. Because of his efforts in 2006, Hamilton County is a better place.

Institute recognizes 13 caring Americans of all ages

Posted 10/16/2006

By Ashley Bleimes, USA TODAY

Albert Lexie has been shining shoes at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh since 1982. He charges only $3 for his services, and he doesn't keep any tips.

Instead, Lexie donates his tips to Children's Free Care Fund, which helps children get the medical attention they need regardless of their ability to pay. So far, he has raised more than $100,000.

Lexie is one of 13 people who will be honored today by the Caring Institute at ceremonies in Washington, D.C. The Caring Awards, inspired by the work of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, recognize people who have shown commitment to charitable activities and set an example for others.

The other honorees

• Oral Lee Brown of Oakland was so touched by a visit to a poverty-stricken elementary school in Oakland in 1987 that she promised to pay the college tuition of any student in the class who finished high school. With her support, 18 of the 23 students finished college, and three have gone on to graduate school.
• Ben Carson of Baltimore is a pediatric brain surgeon who started Angels of the OR, providing neurosurgical care to patients who can't pay.
• The Rev. Billy Graham dedicated his life to inspiring others and giving hope worldwide.
• Eleanor Josaitis of Detroit runs a food program for women, children and the elderly while helping minorities succeed through education and job training.
• Cal Ripken Jr., the former Baltimore Orioles great, supports literacy campaigns, thyroid patient care and research on Lou Gehrig's disease in Baltimore. Through the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, he provides needy children with character-building baseball and softball programs.

Young adult awards

• Brittany, 15, and Robbie Bergquist, 14, of Norwell, Mass., started a program to collect prepaid phone cards for soldiers so they can call home. They have raised more than $1 million and sent more than 80,000 calling cards overseas.
• Daniel Kent, 17, of Carmel, Ind., was teaching adult computer classes and found many senior citizens couldn't attend. He trained volunteers to help him teach and raised money to put computer labs in 70 retirement homes.
• Clayton Lillard, 17, of San Antonio salvages old bikes to fix them and give them to needy children. After eight years, he has placed bikes with more than 800 children.
• Jena Sims, 17, of Winder, Ga., a former beauty queen, raises money for the American Cancer Society, organized a pageant for ailing kids.
• Mattie Stepanek of Rockville, Md., worked for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, raised money for the hungry and wrote poetry. He died in 2004 at age 13.

Corporate caring

A corporate award goes to the Gallup Organization in Washington, D.C., and CEO and chairman Jim Clifton for supporting democracy through independent research and polling.

RTV 6 Leadership Award

Do Something Spotlight: Daniel Kent and Senior Connects

by David Neilsen

from HowStuffWorks.com

The Internet has changed the way we communicate. With e-mail, instant messaging, video conferencing, MySpace, YouTube and more, we are more connected with each other than at any time in our history.

People who aren't on the Internet are often cut off from friends and family and isolated from society at large. In fact, there's an entire demographic of people across all races and gender whose world is shrinking just when everyone else's world is expanding: senior citizens.

Daniel Kent wants to change that with Senior Connects, a youth-run, not-for-profit organization based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Senior Connects sends high school and college kids into independent living facilities to bring the Internet to this generation, reconnecting them with family, loved ones, and the pulse of today.

The impact of this work cannot be understated. As Helen Lenke, one of Daniel's first pupils, put it, "Now we don't have to sit around waiting for the undertaker. [Daniel] and his aids were patient, respectful, kind and successful in teaching us with a simple formula of his own to write e-mails, play poker, bridge, watch the news, search for bargains on the Internet, find pictures of my family receiving honors as professors of law and medicine and so much more."

The results have been astounding. In 2004 alone, Senior Connects provided computer access to 61 independent/assisted living facilities serving 10,076 residents. For his efforts, Daniel was recognized as Indiana Middle School's Volunteer of the Year in 2003. He was also named a 2004 national "Points of Light" winner, a BRICK Award winner in 2005, and had his work recognized by a joint resolution from the Indiana State House and Senate.

Now Daniel is taking his calling to another level with the creation of Net Literacy. This organization combines Senior Connects with three other programs:

• Safe Connects, which works to educate people about online safety
• Computer Connects, which brings computer access and training to underserved people living in publicly-subsidized multiple dwelling unit housing
• Youth Connects, which brings access and training to families with elementary school-aged children who are on public assistance and can't afford a computer of their own

Net Literacy’s goal is to bring the Internet to everyone, so that no one is left out or left behind.

We recently had a chance to catch up with Daniel and ask him about the creation of Senior Connects, how it evolved into Net Literacy, and how he sees his programs evolving.

HowStuffWorks: Where did you get the inspiration to start Senior Connects?

Daniel Kent: A lot of the volunteers, myself included, volunteer at our public library. And one of the opportunities we can volunteer for are a number of computer training classes. They're open to all library patrons and they range from everything from computer basics all the way up through e-mail and beyond.

HowStuffWorks: Have you always worked with computers?

Daniel Kent: I've been working with computers since I was really young, so I thought that this would be a really good idea for me.

HowStuffWorks: How young were you when you started playing with computers?

Daniel Kent: I'd say almost four. I mean sometimes it was just messing around with the keyboard, but my parents have told me that I've always been attracted towards computers.

HowStuffWorks: So how did volunteering at the library turn into Senior Connects?

Daniel Kent: So we're volunteering there, and one gentleman who I had previously helped there, he was back for a quickie e-mail class. We were chatting after class and he mentioned that he really enjoyed the program, however he was talking with a friend at his retirement home who was wheelchair bound and had no transportation to the public library.

HowStuffWorks: Is that when the bell went off in your head? Hearing this?

Daniel Kent: Exactly. I felt strongly, especially as a student, that nobody should be denied the opportunity to learn. Consequently, I looked around for an organization that could help this gentleman's friend.

HowStuffWorks: And when you didn't find anyone who could help, you took matters into your own hands?

Daniel Kent: I got some of my friends and we started Senior Connects.

HowStuffWorks: How old were you when you started this?

Daniel Kent: I was in junior high. In the 8th grade.

HowStuffWorks: So did you just start going to retirement homes and offering your services, or did you step back and create the organization then and there?

Daniel Kent: We knew we'd want to get non-profit status, but we wanted to get a jump start. So we looked around for computer donations, from the library and a few other organizations and local companies. We also received donations of computer manuals from the library. And that was very helpful, because what we did was we did things like we increased the font size, made everything a little more senior friendly. And we eventually based our curriculum off of the manuals.

HowStuffWorks: Was getting the initial donations the most difficult part of starting the program?

Daniel Kent: Initially, one of the greatest obstacles we faced was the fact that many retirement homes lacked computers. So we soon got into the business of refurbishing computers. And that's one of the major components of what Net Literacy is today.

HowStuffWorks: And this was all being done by you and your friends? Minors?

Daniel Kent: Throughout the entire process, it was completely youth-managed, youth-serviced. It was completely youth-driven. All of our board members and executives were youth. But as we developed our 501(c) 3 status, we started to realize that minors can't really be held accountable for large sums of money.

HowStuffWorks: How did you get around that?

Daniel Kent: We worked with a number of individuals that had some experience in youth empowerment and also in non-profit group construction. So we sort of created a partially-youth board/partially-adult board. It really actually turned out for the better because not only do the youths and adults work together but the youth frequently mentor the adults. For the most part, the adults are in areas that a lot of students have an interest in. For example we have a high school principal on our board; we have IT guys, and also lawyers. And I'm currently fascinated with education, computers, and law, so it works well for me.

HowStuffWorks: How involved are the adults in the day-to-day aspect of the organization?

Daniel Kent: Originally, adults were the people who would drive us around, we didn't have our driver’s permits then. Now we work with a lot of adults who help us get our 501(c) 3 status, they've helped us through a lot of paperwork, and so on.

HowStuffWorks: Adults are good at bureaucracy?

Daniel Kent: Absolutely. They really helped us with all the governmental papers and, yeah, bureaucracy.

HowStuffWorks: Aside from seeing the need, what was it about this particular issue that drew you to it? What do you get from working closely with people who are not even one but two or sometimes three generations ahead of you?

Daniel Kent: For me personally… both of my grandfathers are very tech-savvy, they both have computers, but not up to using e-mail. I really wanted to remain in contact with them. So now I can e-mail back and forth with them. Additionally, we know how crucial, how integral technology is in our world. Meanwhile, their world is often getting smaller; they're having their keys taken away and so on.

HowStuffWorks: You saw this as a chance to expand their world via the Internet?

Daniel Kent: Exactly. This is an opportunity for their world to grow -- a chance for them to have immediate access to resources and to friends and family through the Internet.

HowStuffWorks: How did this evolve into Net Literacy?

Daniel Kent: Net Literacy started from a realization that Internet illiteracy is not a just a phenomenon applied to senior citizens, it's prevalent throughout our entire society. We initially identified a couple of segments of the population -- elementary school students whose families are on public assistance, section 8 HUD housing, and a couple of others -- who also lack either computer access or lack computer training. In addition to that, one of our main focuses recently has been on the aspect of computer safety.

HowStuffWorks: Computer safety?

Daniel Kent: In high school and in middle school, a lot of us take a health class and learn to stay safe and physically fit, but what they don't teach us is how to stay safe on the Internet. Now you hear so many horrible stories like on "Dateline" and all the other news programs about kids our age being taken advantage of on the Internet when they are absolutely innocent and don't know how to avoid the predators and sometimes how to just act courteously on the Internet. Through that desire to gain awareness, we created another organization called Safe Connects.

HowStuffWorks: So you have Senior Connects, you have Safe Connects, there are other organizations listed on your site. Does Net Literacy bring them all together under one umbrella?

Daniel Kent: Exactly. That's why we reorganized our board and tried to streamline our programs. And most recently, we've been working with the Central Indiana Public Schools and also a couple of other cities throughout Indiana and the United States, to develop a Senior Connects/Net Literacy program that is replicable and also scaleable in their community. For example, one of our biggest public school systems, the Indianapolis Public School System, their seven or eight high schools have each adopted a Net Literacy club which they've named, like, Student Empowerment Computer Outreach Society, I think. What they do is not only do they help their community which is served by the school systems, but also they learn valuable skills like assembling computers and also, like, teaching and writing grants. And they work hand-in-hand with IT and Computer academies which prepare them for an eventual career.

HowStuffWorks: It sounds like you're really trying to create a larger net-literate culture in your area and then letting it spread throughout the country.

Daniel Kent: You got it.

HowStuffWorks: What does the future hold for Net Literacy? Where do you see this going?

Daniel Kent: Last summer we hosted a program that worked with a number of inner city, urban high schools in Indianapolis, and they are helping us create the curricula for the next program. We've already heard from a number of school districts that want to include the next program, the academic curriculum. We also have almost monthly computer drives throughout the state and cities to collect computers and repurpose them. Also, what's really neat, those computers we can't repurpose, what we've done is we've partnered with an organization called Asset Forwarding. What they do is they specialize in secure data elimination and computer recycling. In other words they take all the really highly sensitive, top-secret information in computer -- from, like, hospitals and the military -- and they make sure that all the data is erased. And they've been able to really help us refurbish computers, but they also take all the computers that we can't use, because maybe they're too old, and they take them and they recycle them in a compliant manner that is environmentally friendly.

HowStuffWorks: Is Net Literacy spreading beyond Indianapolis and Indiana?

Daniel Kent: Absolutely. One of the main objectives is, we are creating the whole program so that it would be scalable and replicable, throughout communities in the United States, and even the world. We haven't really ourselves created branches throughout the United States and so forth, but we've received correspondence from individuals who maybe heard about our curriculum and wish to start their own branch. And we've received responses from everywhere from San Jose, California to Atlanta, Georgia, Syracuse, New York, and even Winnipeg, Canada.

HowStuffWorks: So even though they're not under your umbrella, they're calling you for advice and starting their own programs with the materials you created?

Daniel Kent: Exactly.

HowStuffWorks: Before we go, can you give us an example of how your program has changed someone's life?

Daniel Kent: One of our first students, his name is Dr. Grinnan. He had a number of grandchildren that he was unable to stay in contact with very frequently because they lived pretty far away. He was one of the first individuals who signed up and he was very enthusiastic. I guess enthusiasm is very contagious because we were all excited. At first he didn't know anything about computers except how to program the old mainframes, what he learned in college. Then people would get very frustrated because he was always on the computer in the retirement home, so very few people would be able to get on. He would always stay in front of the computer doing research -- looking up medical conditions, e-mailing his grandchildren, even play card games online. Eventually, he got his own computer, so a lot of the residents were happier about that. But [he and his grandchildren] correspond back and forth with each other and it's just really awesome to not only help your community but also to make new friends with people who you might not ordinarily meet.

Fort Wayne NetLiteracy

Link: Fort Wayne NetLiteracy LifePage

The iTeam is working to increase computer access and Internet literacy to underserved youth, families and senior citizens in our community. This iTeam is also working on a computer drive to help gather used computers, recycle and refurbish them, and place them in community centers around the city.

Our first Fort Wayne NetLiteracy program is Senior Connects

This program will promote senior citizen computer and Internet literacy by building public computer labs, teaching senior citizens (and especially those that are mobility impaired or lack reliable transportation) computer and Internet skills, and increasing public awareness to this critical issue. Net Literacy seeks to work through FWCS and other local school districts to identify student-volunteers and school organizations (such as the Key Club or the National Honor Society) that will adopt a facility – and is dependent upon this community-wide effort to fully implement the program. Project plans and lesson plans are detailed on the Senior Connects website. Each senior citizen "pupil" will receive a lesson plan and instructional booklet that has been created in large font and has been proven to be senior-friendly over the past two years. Net Literacy will work through social workers, activity directors, and facility managers to arrange space for the public computer labs. The secret to our success in teaching computer and Internet skills is that we work with seniors on a one-to-one basis – with each senior having a student volunteer sitting by their side helping them during the lessons, we spend up to four months with each "pupil," and we use Humanizing Technologies’ LifePage as a teaching value creating application.

iTeam Members: NetLiteracy, Asset Forwarding, City of Fort Wayne, Adaptive Micro-Ware, Humanizing Technology, and Verizon.

2006 Winners

Daniel Kent from Carmel, IN

Age: 18

Daniel Kent built "Net Literacy," a non-profit organization to help underprivileged families get computer access and use the Internet. More than 50,000 people in three states now have access to computers in public computer labs, which were supplied by "Net Literacy."

Computer drive to help others

FortWayne.com

The city of Fort Wayne’s Net Literacy iTeam is holding a computer donation drive that winds up Friday.

Drop-off hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m today and Friday at Fire Station 17, 1910 Getz Road; Fire Station 15, 1415 Northland Blvd.; and Fire Station 12, 5901 S. Anthony Blvd. Computers must be Pentium II or newer models and include monitor, mouse, keyboard, and power cord.

Net Literacy’s goal is to increase computer access and Internet literacy to underserved youth, families, and seniors by allowing them to use the refurbished donated computers.

A drive for independence

Archindy.org

Daniel Kent had saved the money he needed to make his dream come true: $4,000 for a used car that would give him the independence that most teenagers seek.

Yet Kent decided to use the money to jump-start two organizations that he believed could change lives.

Using most of his savings, he founded Senior Connects, a volunteer organization that gives senior citizens the computer training to connect with others. He also started Net Literacy, an organization that provides computers for children to help in their education.

"I really wanted to have this organization grow beyond a backyard project," says Daniel, a senior at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis. "To do that required immense paperwork and legal aspects that were mind-boggling."

Daniel believes the money was well-spent. Since 2003, Senior Connects has provided computer access to about 20,000 senior citizens in independent and assisted-living facilities in three states. His volunteer organization has also raised more than $500,000 in grants and donations of computers, many of which his group has refurbished and given to children from needy families.

"It started when I volunteered at my public library, teaching computer skills," he says. "One day, I was teaching a gentleman who said he really enjoyed the program and he was talking about it to a friend at his retirement community. His friend was confined to a wheelchair, and he couldn’t learn how to use a computer because there was no one at the retirement home to teach him. I wanted to help his friend."

When Daniel couldn’t find a program to help the man, he started Senior Connects. Now, there are about 150 student volunteers in the program that is expanding across the country.

Daniel’s rewards include the cookies that senior citizens sometimes bake for him. His parents also bought him a 2001 green Subaru sedan because "they got really tired of driving me all around," Daniel says with a laugh.

"Our generation has been labeled ‘The Me Generation’ by a lot of sociologists and the general media," he says. "My personal goal is to help everyone. By empowering others, not only do you provide them with more opportunities, it builds and leads to other people helping others."

2006 Young Adult National Caring Award Winner

Daniel Kent, Age 17

Carmel, Indiana

Daniel Kent formed Senior Connects - now Net Literacy Corporation - to bring older folks into the computer age. While teaching a computer class for adults, he realized that many seniors found it hard to attend his sessions. He recruited and trained friends to help him teach Internet classes, built a website, and raised over $110,000 for equipment. His efforts have put computer labs in 70 retirement homes and helped 11,000 seniors get online. He now has 200 volunteers who visit the homes each week and work closely with residents. The result is a very high success rate which Daniel attributes to the input of his volunteers.

2006 Honoree: Daniel T. L. Kent

Timothy M. Boldt Exceptional Service Award

In honor of youth volunteer Tim Boldt who passed away in 1998.

At Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School and several other high schools across the region, Kent has developed a following of a couple hundred young people willing to give their time, energy and seemingly inherent ability to understand and use technology to grand folks whose average age is 87.

His business, Net Literacy , reaches out to the area's elderly through "Senior Connects," a program that offers seniors free classes on computer and Internet fundamentals, such as how to sign up for and use e-mail, how to perform online searches and how to upload photographs for sharing with others. The student-run organization also builds computer labs in retirement homes and other senior communities using donated equipment.

Net Literacy has been recognized by public officials across the political spectrum and at the highest levels of government, from Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson to President George W. Bush. Kent has been profiled in area newspapers and national publications, and will soon be featured in People Magazine.

Kent said he founded Net Literacy in 2003 after his association with an elderly gentleman who lived in a retirement home, whom he taught to communicate online with a friend, "No one should be left out [of technology's benefits] especially with computers more prevalent these days." Kent tried looking for a volunteer opportunity specifically geared toward seniors and technology, but couldn't find a good fit. With some help from his dad, he conducted surveys in retirement homes and determined there was a need for this service.

Brebeuf is one of the only area high schools that has a community service requirement for graduation. Students there are not only tasked with contributing to their community, they must take a class in community service and write "reflections" on their experiences.

Through word of mouth, Kent has amassed an army of student volunteers from Brebeuf, Carmel High School , Arlington High School , the city of Fort Wayne and others. He has expanded Net Literacy to include components for younger learners and individuals of all ages who reside in public housing and who were left behind by the "digital divide." Net Literacy's "Safe Connects" program teaches online security and safety from predators and identity thieves. They also partner with Indiana Recycling Coalition members to reduce computer rubbish that creates toxins in landfills.

The organization is well sponsored, and receives grants and hardware donations from several sources including the Techpoint Foundation . Kent does his own grant writing, as well as developing lesson plans for the various courses. He's always looking for new groups of seniors he can help, and finds Meals on Wheels ideal for potential synergies, such as training some of MOW's elderly volunteers to reach out to clients who want to use technology.

"These seniors are always so thankful," said Kent . "At first, many are hesitant, or they think computers are bad, or that they can't learn. We go slowly and make it a comfortable experience using one student volunteer for each senior. It's almost like our volunteers become surrogate grandchildren."

Kent said that in addition to the excitement seniors feel when they get their first e-mail, they also enjoy sharing pictures and accessing the increasing number of government services that have come online. "No one is too old to learn," said Kent . "Computers are tools with endless possibilities. When we see [them] make that connection, that's really cool!"

"We are proud and pleased to offer the Meals on Wheels Timothy M. Boldt Exceptional Service Award to such a fine young man as Daniel Kent," said Barb Morris, MOW Executive Director. "It's especially heartwarming to see young people offer their time and talents to seniors who are often unseen and isolated. Net Literacy has provided a way for youth to reach out to this forgotten population, and we applaud the efforts of Daniel Kent and all the teens involved with this service."

About Timothy M. Boldt

Tim Boldt, according to his mom, Peggy Boldt, was an outgoing, gentle and fun-loving soul who loved visiting the elderly people he assisted with odd jobs around their homes. A student at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis , Boldt took to heart the school's mission to serve others. In 1998, midway through his senior year, Tim tragically died in an accident. Meals on Wheels is pleased to name the Exceptional Service Award in Tim Boldt's honor.

For further details, please contact us at 317.633.6325, or by e-mail at info@mealsonwheelsindy.org.