Dot-helping

Suzie Harrison

Hard drive, mouse and ISP seem like foreign words to many people.

became prevalent everywhere.

This whole new vocabulary seems natural for school-age children;

they are growing up with it. But to many, especially senior citizens,

it can be intimidating. Computers inspire a feeling of trepidation

and intimidation.

To help seniors get over this fear and to educate them in a

comfortable setting became a mission of some members at the

Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Costa Mesa. They have been

holding beginning and intermediate classes for more than a year and a

half.

Hank Panian said that this program came to fruition with the help

of four people, those on the church of the Covenant local organizing

committee. It’s definitely a team effort, he said.

“I’m the communicator of the group,” Panian said. “Harry Larimer

is the official go-between with the program and the church. Forest

Werner is the point person for raising funds. He’s on the

sustainability committee. And Bob Campbell is the super volunteer

from church who tutors the program.”

Werner, Panian said, has gotten a grant from JC Penney for $5,000.

He also has the challenge of raising $50,000 with an unnamed person

willing to match the funds.

“So the challenge is out there,” Panian said.

Campbell has spent five days a week, two to three hours a day,

tutoring.

“If we had a couple million Bob Campbells, this world would be a

better place,” Panian said.

Alma Marquez is a key go-between for everybody, Panian said.

“Once we got the computers donated by the Harbor Boulevard of Cars

Assn., there was nothing going on in the morning,” Panian said. “We

decided to open up classes for senior members of our congregation.”

He said the committee that he was on took a survey of about 100

people, asking the question, “What do you think we should do to reach

out to the community? How can we help you and seniors?”

“It’s a community outreach program, and our philosophy is ‘How can

we serve our community,’” he said.

They started with helping youth in the Newport-Mesa Unified School

District at Costa Mesa High School in the afternoons.

“The first tutorial program started for the seventh- and

eighth-graders at the high school,” Panian said.

It is a program to help students who are failing, and they’ve made

great progress, he said.

“Six children in the spring semester made the honor roll,” Panian

said. “It shows how people can turn around when someone has a concern

for them and a place to study.”

The church, which is next to the high school, has helped these

students succeed, Panian said.

“There’s usually three to four tutors, seniors like myself,”

Panian said. “The YMCA oversees the program.”

Also facilitating the youth program are two to three more tutors

who don’t qualify as senior citizens.

“We’ve had upwards of 40 students per session,” Panian said.

“We’ve touched the lives of a lot of people.”

However, he is distressed because he doesn’t know how much longer

the program can continue because of financial constraints. Donations

are needed.

The senior computer classes began more than a year ago to use the

empty computers and to aid with revenue.

“A lot of seniors were afraid to start,” Panian said. “They were

thrilled with the opportunity to learn how it works.”

They have served about 48 people through their monthly program, he

said.

“We can only serve as many people as there are computers.”

They have invited three other local congregations to join the

computer classes, offering classes for $35 per person. The classes

are held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a month.

“It’s so convenient. The church and the parking is empty 80% of

the week,” Panian said. “Why not utilize the church? That’s where the

computers are located for community need.”

His wife, Barbara, took the beginning and intermediate classes and

was pleased.

“A lot of the seniors like the interaction with other members,” he

said. “They are pleased that someone understands their needs and has

patience to work through the technology involved.”

Barbara pointed out that she knew some people in the beginning

class who were a little frightened.

“The class was small and the instructor worked with each person

individually,” she said. “It’s a low-pressure environment, a small

group. You can ask as many questions as you need to. They are there

to help you.”

She said both classes were very pleasant and she got a lot out of

them.

To find out more information or to enroll, call Panian at (714)

979-1803. The next session starts Sept. 16.