Meet Ms. Shirley Mixon of the Jasper Senior Activity Center. Ms. Mixon is an alumni of the Generations on Line program that was partially funded through Cawaco and administered through M4A.
Generations on Line is nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing communication among generations by promoting Internet access and literacy to elders of the Paper Generation. The software guides novices step-by-step with onscreen instructions on every page in large type, plain English, and a clear, uncluttered interface with friendly icons. It is free to seniors. With Generations on Line software, seniors known as “peer coaches” train other seniors on how to use the computer.
After Shirley completed the Generations on Line training, she began to train other seniors, not only to use the internet but to learn basic computer skills. But without the help of the Senior Employment Program, Shirley said she probably wouldn’t be working.
After working for Proctor & Gamble in Ohio, she moved home to take care of her mother and realized that her skills needed to be sharpened for the modern workplace. Shirley decided to join the Senior Employment Program to learn the skills necessary to re-enter the workforce.
From there, she worked at Bankhead Middle School for seven years, before being hired to work at the Jasper Senior Center to teach other seniors basic computer skills. Now when she isn’t teaching computer training, she is teaching quilting. Shirley Mixon has been working at the Jasper Senior Center for eight years.
To find out more about educational programs for seniors, connect with your local senior center. If you’re a senior in Jasper needing some computer training, go see Ms. Shirley Mixon. Shirley says that if she can use a computer, anyone can!
Click here for the Alabama Senior Center directory to find a senior center near you.