Net Literacy - History

History

Net Literacy was founded officially in 2003 when Senior Connects was re-organized into the Net Literacy Corporation. Over 1000 student volunteers have taught hundreds of seniors and other underserved individuals. Net Literacy has increased computer access to over 150,000 individuals in four states.

Net Literacy was founded by a middle school student who was volunteering at a public library to teach computer and Internet skills to senior citizens and elementary school youngsters. After one of the classes, a senior citizen told the student that while he enjoyed the program, it was too bad that some of his wheelchair-bound neighbors could not leave their facility and learn how to send emails. Several local organizations and national agencies were contacted to identify a program that would enable this student to go inside independent and assisted living facilities, build public computer labs, and teach mobility-impaired residents computer and Internet skills, but without success. Once this gap in the nation’s social coverage was identified, a community ascertainment was conducted that indicated senior facilities had a high degree of interest about educating residents; but none of them had the funds to establish a public computer lab within their own facilities. Armed with this research and loaded with entrepreneurial talents, the young lad began a quest that led to the formation of a very successful and growing not-for profit enterprise today known as the “Net Literacy Corporation” (www.netliteracy.org). The fledgling business became involved in computer donation drives, building computer labs inside independent living facilities, teaching senior citizens computer and Internet skills, and disposing of unusable computers in an EPA compliant manner. In late 2004, the scope of the organization was increased to also include underserved and computer illiterate youths and families. Thousand of students have volunteered to repurpose computers or teach in their communities and provide extensive one-on-one training for those who were formerly on the wrong side of the digital divide. Students have contributed hundreds of thousands of hours of community service work. Since 2005, Net Literacy has collaborated with The Techpoint Foundation to promote youth philanthropy and community service, increase computer access and literacy throughout Indiana, and educate youth and adults about Internet safety.