Visit local senior centers and churches throughout Vermont you will find a hub of activity from internet cafés, exercise programs, arts, and community meals designed to keep seniors active and part of the community. Vermont’s rural nature and limited public transportation can make it challenging for seniors to be able to get out and socialize. Socialization and keeping your mind active and alert are necessary for healthy aging.

One success story is Connections housed at the Covenant Community Church in Jericho. This program combines a community meal for seniors and an internet café offering instruction and the use of computers donated by IBM. According to Carolyn Carlson, Steering Committee Chair, this program was created to “address the feelings of isolation and loneliness we know is a reality for many seniors in our surrounding area, and to help seniors become comfortable using computers to enhance their abilities to connect with their families.”

Each Thursday from 10-2, over 20 seniors gather to enjoy a great meal, wonderful company and a chance to use the computer lab to email family and friends, research medical conditions, plan vacations, and to work on their own individual projects. According to Ron Lawrence, a volunteer computer instructor, many of the seniors have never worked on a computer before. According to Lawrence “a lot of seniors are starting from scratch. I like to get them on the computer, break the ice and let them go where they want to go.” Many seniors are interested in buying their own computer after having a few sessions at Connections and have peppered their instructors for hints on what they should look for before they make their big purchase.

Amy White, 80 years old from Jericho, did not have to do research about what computer she should buy. White received a computer from a friend and has gone from never having touched a computer to planning and booking her entire Alaskan vacation. For White there is no way she would miss Thursdays at Connections because, “Thursday is computer day, nothing is going to stop me.”

Mary Willard, of Colchester, heard about the computer lab and knew she had to attend. Though she says she “hasn’t learned as much as I would like” due to the fact that she does not have a computer at home to practice on she looks forward to her computer time. Willard hopes to start getting into genealogy and planning vacations. She is ready to buy her first computer due in part to her instructors. According to Willard, “if you have good mentors like I’ve had that say you need to do this or that they are a big help.” Her experience on the computers has made her feel more independent and has become a priority.

With a grant from the Administration on Aging, Connections has been able to establish the computer lab to be open during the weekly senior meal. Money is always a factor in keeping the project going. According to Marge Gaskins, Program Coordinator, “ the cost of internet access, director’s salary, equipment costs creates a tight budget. More importantly we feel the project can grow with more computers, and by offering better transportation options, both of which offers this population a meaningful and fulfilling activity, but increase the need for funds.”

Some seniors enjoy the challenge of mastering the internet but for others the opportunity to get out and socialize with their friends makes Connections a special place to be. The Culinary Art Students at the Essex Technical Center provide meals to Connections. Though a $4 donation is suggested no one is turned away. According to CVAA Community Meals Program Coordinator Pat Pike this program impacts seniors, “for many people who live alone the social stimulation has enormous value combined with the fact that many elders who live alone do not necessarily want to cook for one person therefore the nutritional balance along with the social interaction is invaluable and helps people maintain their independent lifestyle.”

For Mildred Haskin, of Jericho, this meal site gave her a chance to meet her new neighbors. Haskins recently moved from New York to Jericho to live with her son and Connections has enabled her to meet new people and feel like part of the community. Beverly Haskins, a long time volunteer from Richmond, thinks people enjoy this program because “everybody’s friendly and relaxed and we get a chance to get out of the house.”

Connections has helped seniors form new friendships and allowed them the chance to reach out and connect to information and people through the world wide web. Access to information and a chance to be less isolated makes these seniors a vital part of the community.

For more information on Connections call 879-4313

Sarah Lemnah writes on senior issues for the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging. This article originally appeared in the Burlington Free Press.