By Grisel Tapia
Vera Court Neighborhood Center

On the last Friday of each month, you can find Vera Court Neighborhood Center’s computer lab filled with older adults checking emails, using social media and navigating online resources. These older adults are participating in ongoing senior computer classes, the product of collaboration between the North/Eastside Senior Coalition and Vera Court Neighborhood Center’s Latino Family Resource Center. The classes provide two hours of lessons on topics such as the basic parts of a computer, keyboard, desktop icons and Internet navigation. The lessons help seniors stay connected with each other, with their families, and with services and information that enrich their lives. All lessons are led in Spanish.

Last month, students were able to open their own email accounts and send their first email. Providing these basic opportunities is vital to ensuring participants stay connected and are able to utilize technology. The resource center is excited to lead the senior computer classes knowing that, for 95 percent of the participants, the classes are their only opportunity to have computer access.

After each computer class, the neighborhood center provides a light lunch for the participants. This time also allows staff to share available resources and discuss future events with the seniors. These lunches, along with fieldtrips the classes take in the summer, are an opportunity for participants to share the different traditions in their cultures and to connect with staff and each other.

The resource center provides Latino families and adults access to basic resources and support in the areas of housing, health, education and employment. Participants in the program receive help with everything from translation of documents, to enrolling their children in school, to contacting landlords. Neighborhood center staff provides basic services on site and helps families connect with other resources for long-term, in-depth services. The resource center also fosters communication with area schools regarding the needs of Latino families in the North/Eastside area.

If you are interested in learning more about the senior computer classes or the Latino Family Resource Center, we invite you to connect with us. Questions can be directed to Grisel Tapia, Latino Family Resource Center Coordinator, at 246-8372 or email grisel@veracourt.org  or visit our website at www.veracourt.org.