To volunteer with Blue Hair Technology, email Jane Ratliff at jratliff@bluehairtech.org
Two years ago, Joyce Ratliff’s 87-year-old mother wanted an iPad for her birthday so she could stay connected with her family and updated with modern technology. “So, she received the iPad, and I also decided to gift her weekly lessons to learn to the device,” said daughter Jane Ratliff.
Words with Friends and staying connected through Facebook are now her mother’s favorite things to do on the iPad.
‘I sent you a message through the bubble’,” said Jane Ratliff, laughingly. The “bubble” is the text message her mother, Joyce, sends through her iPad.
Teaching her mother how to use a tablet for four months and seeing the success her mom had inspired Ratliff to start Blue Hair Technology. “There is a whole generation of people who haven’t been a part of this change of technology,” she said. “While teaching my mom, I learned that this could be useful for a growing group of people to stay connected.”
In 2012, Blue Hair Technology launched as an official nonprofit whose mission became to educate adult seniors about current technology and the tools to connect and communicate with family and friends.
In keeping with their mission, Blue Hair Technology, based in Johns Creek, provides hands-on workshops for iPads, iPhones, and laptops.
Led by Jane Ratliff and assisted by volunteers, the workshops last for eight weeks. As most of the workshops are held during the week, BHT is always in need of volunteers for midday workshops. “Volunteers don’t have to be tech savvy, but have a working knowledge of the devices,” said Ratliff. “We would love to have the community get involved with us and really see what a difference this makes to our students.”
Chuck Thompson, who has volunteered with BHT since its founding, considers this one of his most rewarding experiences. “Not only are you do help bring them into updated technology, but it teaches them independence,” he said of his students.
Serving in eight senior communities from Roswell to Johns Creek and even to Stone Mountain, BHT is determined to provide fun, excitement and empowerment to group of individuals while learning new technologies to stay connected.
Ina Fishman, 74, who takes the class at Dogwood Forest of Alpharetta, found family members through Facebook. “We learn something new at every workshop and enjoy everything,” she said. “(Ratliff and the volunteers) want to be here and help us learn. It means so much.”
In other news: Accounting firm Porter Keadle Moore inspected, sorted, weighed and packed a total of 11, 145 pounds of donated food and household goods at the Atlanta Community Food Bank on Aug. 2. With over 40 volunteers, the firm helped created 7,430 meals for people in need.
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