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.