Dana Dunne, a 69-year-old lifelong resident of Sonoma County, has always valued community. Her recent dive into the digital world has allowed her to stay even more connected with community members, particularly by using technology to support her work in running a local grief support group.
Enhancing Her Grief Support Group through Technology
One of Dana’s primary goals was to use technology to enhance her role in the local grief support group she runs. “I wanted to use technology to help with organizing and communicating with other members of the group. This program has really helped me with that,” she explained. By mastering digital tools, Dana has been able to streamline communication and better manage the group’s activities, providing invaluable support to its members.
The Nextdoor App and Internet Safety
Dana was also interested in using Nextdoor, an app that lets people stay up to date with everything going on in their neighborhoods. It allows folks to post about community news and events, safety concerns, recommendations for local services, and much more. However, one of Dana’s biggest worries with using these and other social media (including Facebook), was internet safety.
Nevertheless, by learning with Community Tech Network, Dana says that she feels “much more comfortable and independent now that I feel safer online.”
Embracing Digital Literacy
According to Dana, “The amount of increased information and more communication I can do [with the internet] has made life more fun and easier.” Learning how to navigate the digital world has not only simplified her daily tasks (such as scheduling appointments and fulfilling prescriptions) but also brought a new level of enjoyment to her life.
Tailored Learning Experience
Dana’s experience with CTN has been particularly beneficial due to the personalized nature of her one-on-one lessons. “Being able to get individual help with my specific problems was amazing. The instructor was able to tailor the lessons for each person and what they needed,” she shared.
Later, to continue learning, Dana attended some group classes, which she enjoyed as well, saying that “hearing the others’ questions was really helpful.”
Conclusion
Dana Dunne’s story is a testament to the transformative power of digital literacy, particularly for those who are deeply involved in community support. Her ability to leverage technology to enhance her local grief support group is an example of how digital skills can positively impact not only individual lives but also entire communities. Dana’s journey with Community Tech Network has equipped her with the tools and confidence to continue making a difference, one digital step at a time.
If you would like to help individuals like Dana access the internet and enhance their community involvement, fill out our inquiry form to learn how your organization can partner with CTN.
You can also learn how to help folks like Dana feel safe online in our online course, Teaching Internet Safety & Responsibility.
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