Our History
Founded in 1986, SeniorNet grew out of a research project funded by the Markle Foundation to determine how computers and telecommunications could enhance the lives of older adults. Since that time, SeniorNet grew into an independent, international, volunteer-based nonprofit organization that is one of the world’s leading technology educators of adults 50+.
SeniorNet was established with the purpose of forming volunteer-based teaching communities (Learning Centers) that would employ a proven “Seniors Teaching Seniors” training model to educate older adults in the use of digital technologies to enhance their lives and enable them to more readily share their knowledge and wisdom. With Learning Centers around the world that have educated millions of seniors, SeniorNet has become the acknowledged technology portal for older adults. SeniorNet Learning Centers began providing computer education to seniors, veterans, the underserved, and those with disabilities.
SeniorNet National provided:
• Support to 25 locally operated Learning Centers in the U.S. from its headquarters in Fort Myers Florida and has international affiliates in countries such as Australia, New Zealand. Malaysia, China, Sweden, Nepal, South Korea.
• Created and published a variety of instructional aids plus an extensive curriculum of over 150 beginning to advanced technology courses used by thousands of its Learning Center volunteer instructors around the world.
• Maintained a website that supported a dynamic community of older adults interested in exploring the uses of computer and communication technologies to enrich their lives.
In 1999, the Family Service League of Long Island (www.fsl-li.org), recruited a handful of volunteers to start a SeniorNet Learning Center that has since garnered numerous awards and grown into a powerhouse in the field of educating adults aged 50+ in the latest computer skills and today’s sophisticated tech gadgets. With its mission to build a community of technologically capable seniors who are empowered to share their knowledge and wisdom with others, the 100+ volunteers at SeniorNet at FSL offer a diverse curriculum that includes courses in the use of computers, smartphones, tablets, etc. Over the years its army of volunteers has trained thousands of students (12,000+) at its Huntington Learning Center, in mobile classrooms, and at library seminars. In addition, SeniorNet expanded its mission (beyond that of other SeniorNet Learning Centers) to include community development/outreach and protection of the environment.
Continues to be professionally run because of the passion of its highly qualified volunteer staff who come from all walks of life and prestigious careers in law, finance, computer technology, medicine, teaching, engineering, etc.
In April 2001 SeniorNet volunteers initiated a unique computer-refurbishing project. The objectives were to help protect the environment by refurbishing old donated computers for further use by not-for-profit organizations and families in need who would not ordinarily be able to afford computers. Since the start of the project through 2015, nearly 9,000 donated computers were recycled.
SeniorNet, a program of Family Service League (FSL):
• Fast forward to 2020 and the world responds to the Covid-19 pandemic. SeniorNet swiftly pivots to teaching our seminars and classes via Zoom, the video chat program. A critical portion of our mission is to educate and engage seniors and we weren’t going to allow them to be left out of the new isolating societal demands. We rose to the challenge and taught our volunteers how to teach and engage our students over Zoom. By July of 2020, we were in full swing with our free online webinars and classes, totaling 66-course offerings and reaching almost 1,000 students by the end of the year.
• In April 2020 we became a full-fledged program of Family Service League. With their support, we have continued our mission and look forward to a future hybrid learning environment of in-person as well as an online presence.
• Maintains a modern state-of-the-art computer lab classroom at its headquarters at Family Service League in Huntington NY, which has been in constant use since 1999 with great success.
• SeniorNet has several mobile classrooms that volunteers painstakingly set up for classes at remote locations only to dismantle and remove when class is over. Since its inception in 2010, mobile classroom demand has been incredibly high and rewarding for our volunteers, site sponsors, and students.
Unique Education Model
SeniorNet’s education model is designed to ensure students grasp its slow-taught “bite-sized” lessons by employing a team of caring, ever-present coaches who make sure that no student is left behind. In addition, SeniorNet also provides students with easy-to-follow step-by-step tutorial manuals for further lesson practice at home plus a Computer Help Desk to assist with various computer problems.
Our Teaching Model:
• All instructors and coaches are volunteers and at least 50 years old.
• Our computer labs are equipped with Windows 10 desktops or laptops for student use.
• Classes are small in size so they can be intimate and effectively coached.
• Classes are offered during four semesters each year and consist of one to eight weekly classroom sessions.
• Classroom sessions are held weekdays, during the daytime, and are usually 2½ hours long.
• Students are offered an ever-evolving curriculum of classes and seminars in the use of today’s computers, software, internet, smartphones, tablets etc.
• Cost is nominal since everyone involved is a volunteer.
Other Community Outreach activities:
• SeniorNet volunteers organize an annual toy drive for Long Island children.
• SeniorNet has an ongoing “Intergenerational Project” with High School students who work as summer interns providing computer support, student coaching, and other activities. This project has been very well received by seniors and students alike. It proves that the “Generation Gap” can be bridged. The 10th anniversary of the Intergenerational Project was proudly celebrated during the 2015 Annual Meeting with a touching PowerPoint presentation containing past students’ then and now personal testimonials and pictures.
SeniorNet has conducted classes at sites such as:
| Town of Huntington Senior Center | Senior retirement community in the Town of Brookhaven |
| Section 8 housing for seniors in Greenlawn and Melville | Senior retirement community in the Town of Smithtown |
| VA Hospital in Northport | Henrietta Acampora Recreation Center of Blue Point |
| Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Bellport Area |
Our Public Library program:
In 2001, SeniorNet began holding informative monthly seminars for its students which in 2012 expanded into a very popular free seminar program open to the general public. When these free seminars were expanded to the general public, the demand grew to the point of overwhelming the Huntington facility causing the monthly seminars to be relocated to a nearby public library. Since then, SeniorNet has routinely given weekly 60-minute seminars in 33 public libraries around Long Island.
Our Dedicated Road Runners Team:
SeniorNet volunteers attended many public events including the Huntington Fall Festival, Suffolk County Office for the Aging, Representative Lee Zeldin Senior Fairs, Town of Islip Senior’s Health Fair, Volunteer Fairs, Health Fairs, Senior Fairs, and more.
Awards, Recognition, and Proclamations
We are proud of the Awards, Recognition, and Proclamations that we have received. These are the result of the work of our dedicated volunteers, who have helped us provide computer and technology training to thousands of seniors.