According to The Senior Source President and CEO Stacey Malcolmson,
“What do you do if you are a senior caring for two teenage granddaughters by yourself due to illness in the family and you are not technically literate? That’s the situation Dallas resident and former Foster Grandparent volunteer Mary Williams was in. For some, lack of computer and technology skills would be just an inconvenience. But without having transportation, getting groceries was a challenge for the Williams family.
“Fortunately, The Senior Source offers multiple technology classes. Mary says, ‘The computer classes and workshops that I took at The Senior Source have been a life saver.’ Mary said that she was actually ‘terrified of electronics.’ But a class in computer essentials and online payment methods gave her practical help. It eased her fears, and she bought a computer based on what she learned. She now uses the computer and other skills to order groceries. Without her own transportation, this has helped her family immensely. Mary also points out that it is a huge help that the classes are free to seniors and have the added benefit of keeping her from being lonely. She exclaims, “It is helping my mental health tremendously.”
“Computer classes are not the only help Mary has gotten from The Senior Source. She attended a seminar titled, ‘Elder Frauds, Scams and Financial Exploitation’ which covered a wide variety of scams and exploitation that devastates many seniors. After the seminar, Mary received a call trying to get her to buy something over the phone. The price was ‘too good to be true’ and she recognized some red flags based on the class. Not only did she hang up on them, but she also used what she learned in one of the technology classes to block the phone number of the scammer.
“Mary is just one of our many clients and volunteers who have been helped in many ways by The Senior Source, a non-profit organization that has greatly benefited from the generous donations from Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day. The Senior Source has participated in North Texas Giving Day since 2013. During that time, the North Texas Giving Day event has raised approximately $800,000 to help seniors and those helping seniors.
“With the help of North Texas Giving Day 2023, The Senior Source aims to replicate Mary’s story by having a vital impact on the lives of older adults in the Dallas area.”
* Graphic/photo provided by The Senior Source
In 14 years, Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day has pumped more than $503 million into the North Texas community. In 2022, more than $62.6 million was raised through 94,385 donors benefiting over 3,210 area nonprofits.
On Thursday, September 21, support The Senior Source by clicking here and spreading the word. #NTxGivingDay2023