Social media workshops provide one-on-one help

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

CANFIELD

If you have a child or teen in the family, you’re set: You have a built-in technology tutor.

If not, the Ursuline Center offers social media workshops that provide one-on-one help.

Technology has been an integral part of the lives of younger generations for a few decades. They use it at school and socially. Older generations may see the value in learning technology but be slightly intimidated by it and constant changes. The Ursuline Center sessions are intended to help the technology-challenged.

Sister Nancy Pawlen, assistant center director, coordinates the workshops that pair tech-savvy young adults with older people who need advice on how to use smartphones, laptops, photo apps, social media and more.

Sister Nancy said the center started the social media sessions in fall 2014. She said the sessions grew out of the young-adult outreach program coordinated by Sister Nancy Raupple. The sessions provide a volunteer avenue for young adults while providing a service.

Young-adult tutors are Catena Core of Youngstown, a Youngstown State University Honors College student; and AmeriCorps volunteers with the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, Laura Roch of Youngstown, a recent graduate of Kent State University, and Janie Rosko of Austintown, YSU graduate. Hourlong sessions take place from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesdays at the Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Road. For information, call 330-799-4941. The cost is $10 per session or $25 for three sessions.

Sister Nancy said Rosko and Roch also assist with other ministries of the Ursulines including the preschool, Silver Sneakers, HIV/AIDS, Beatitude House, prison ministry and Sister Jerome’s Mission College.

Core is working with Andrea McConnaughy of Canfield, who wants to put her iPhone 6 to full use. “If you’re not using technology, you feel left out,” McConnaughy said.

She said her son, who has two young sons, lives in Portland, Ore. Though there are visits back and forth, being able to email, text and Facetime adds other ways to connect. “Through the use of technology, the children know us,” McConnaughy said.

Core said she saw something on a program that brought college students into nursing homes. “That touched me,” she said. “It showed how generations could help one another,” Core said.

“I use my phone as an organizing tool and for social things,” Core said. “I want to get the most out of it and help others.”

Roch said the “one-on-one” situation works well. “So much revolves around technology now,” she said.

Rosko is working with Patty Karas of Austintown, who wants to be more adept at using her tablet. “I’m a visual learner,” Karas said. With family members living elsewhere, Karas said she wants to use technology to stay in touch and share photos. Rosko said she hopes she can help Karas make technology work for her.