By Yegor Zenkov

The Chandler Senior Center is a place for low-income seniors to socialize, get a meal, receive legal or accounting advice, exercise, get vaccinations and many other services. This interview with Nancy Jackson, the center director, was taken several months after an extensive project, which provided many seniors with computers for home use.

De Equitibus: A lot of people came up to me and said that this was their first computer. Do you think this is a common story?

Nancy Jackson: Yes, I think so. Most of these seniors never grew up with computers so the concept of using computers day-to-day was pretty foreign to them.

DE: Do you truly think these computers have made a difference in their lives?

NJ: Absolutely. Even the seniors that don’t have an Internet connection are using them for things like basic word processing and entertainment.

DE: What kind of technical questions did you get from the seniors about their computers?

NJ: We didn’t actually get all that many, but it was all pretty basic stuff. One of them couldn’t get his to work, so we sent someone to his house, and it turned out that his wife had just unplugged his computer.

DE: Do you think that, besides using the computer, the seniors got anything else out of this project?

NJ: Of course the seniors got something they couldn’t otherwise afford, but I think the biggest impact was that someone else got involved with their lives. Most of their relatives have moved away, and the others at the senior center mostly comprise their social circle. I think it meant a lot for them to see a young person care about their lives.

DE: If there was another project at the senior center, what do you think it should be?

NJ: Well, a few months ago, we started a community garden, but it has kind of floundered. The problem is that there really isn’t anyone at the center with gardening knowledge or experience. I don’t think we need another massive project; we need people to come in regularly to help the seniors. Something as simple as teaching gardening skills once a week, or reading to them for an hour. I think that with more community involvement, the seniors can get everything they need.

If you have any questions about the Chandler Senior Center, talk to Yegor Zenkov or send an email to boyscoutcomputers@gmail.com