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2004-04-05
EarthLink, AARP Texas and the Dallas Independent School District Partner for the Texas Launch of GenerationLink
DALLAS, Apr 5, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- In collaboration with AARP Texas, three high schools in Dallas, Texas, today will launch an innovative program spearheaded by EarthLink (ELNK) , one of the nation's leading Internet service providers (ISP), to bring together seniors, net-savvy teenagers and the Internet.
The program, GenerationLink, is a national classroom-based initiative that enlists high school students to teach seniors how to use the Internet. Developed and launched by EarthLink in 2002, GenerationLink seeks to foster intergenerational understanding by using the Internet to forge a connection between teens and seniors.
"What better way to bring people together than through the Internet," said Dan Greenfield, vice president of corporate communications for EarthLink. "GenerationLink gives us the opportunity to create a dialogue between teens and seniors in a way that enriches the lives of both generations."
"Computers can provide an important way for seniors to communicate with family and friends. The Internet can be a lifeline connecting individuals to new resources and information, encouraging them to be engaged, grow and meet their ever-changing needs and interests. The Internet also can provide a critical linkage that reduces isolation and allows more people to remain independent and lead satisfying lives," said Gus Cardenas, state president for AARP Texas.
The EarthLink project is being implemented through the Dallas Independent School District's service learning, A Safe and Drug-Free Schools program. Beginning today, GenerationLink will bring 30 local seniors (10 at each high school), aged 60 and above, to sit side by side with high school students at Justin F. Kimball High School, Hillcrest High School and Science/Engineering Magnet High School at The Townview Magnet Center. The students will teach the seniors how to send email, surf the Web and download attachments.
The one-hour class will run for six weeks, with the high school students serving as Internet mentors and teachers for the seniors. Senior citizen participants will come from Concord Senior Center, Cedar Crest Senior Center, Walnut Hill Recreation Center and La Voz del Ancianos. In addition, EarthLink will award a scholarship to the student from each high school who best captures the essence of the intergenerational experience in an essay contest following the six-week program. Teachers at each of the three high schools selected the participating students and will lead the class.
"As a school district, we realize that our mission is not only to educate the future leaders of our community, but also to prepare better citizens for Dallas, as well as trustworthy and responsible human beings for the world. Collaborations such as this between EarthLink, AARP Texas and the Dallas Independent School District are a win-win situation. The students learn about the importance of taking an active role in the community, and our community seniors benefit from the care and technical expertise of our students. There is no doubt that this is how you build character among our youth, and we applaud EarthLink for supporting this partnership," said Dr. Mike Moses, superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District.
To date, EarthLink has launched GenerationLink programs in Atlanta and Orlando. As testimony to the program's success, participating seniors continue to use email to stay in touch with faraway children and grandchildren, while others are using the Internet to explore information and hobbies, such as reading a hometown newspaper.
The program was created in part to address a study published in February 2002 by the U.S. Department of Commerce that found that teenagers are the most prolific Internet users, while seniors over age 55 show a sharp drop in Internet use.
Greenfield noted that plans are underway for launching GenerationLink programs in additional cities. "We've seen so much enthusiasm for this program in Orlando and Atlanta. The seniors are eager to go online and use email, and the students are proud of their role as teacher and mentor - ultimately we'd like to bring this program to schools and senior centers across the country," Greenfield said.
About EarthLink
"EarthLink revolves around you(TM)." Celebrating ten years as a leading national Internet service provider (ISP), Atlanta-based EarthLink has earned an award-winning reputation for outstanding customer service and its suite of online products and services. According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2003 Internet Service Provider Residential Customer Satisfaction Study(SM), EarthLink is ranked highest in customer satisfaction among high-speed Internet Service Providers. Serving more than five million subscribers, EarthLink offers what every user should expect from their Internet experience: high- quality connectivity, minimal drop-offs and ISP-generated intrusions, and customizable features. Whether it's dial-up, high-speed, Web hosting, or wireless Internet service, EarthLink provides the tools that best let individuals use and enjoy the Internet on their own terms. Learn more about EarthLink by calling (800) EARTHLINK or visiting EarthLink's Web site at www.earthlink.net .
About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to making life better for people 50 and over. AARP provides information and resources; engages in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy; assists members in serving their communities; and offers a wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services for our members. These include AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our quarterly newspaper in Spanish; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our Web site, www.aarp.org . We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
SOURCE EarthLink
Carla Shaw of EarthLink, +1-404-748-7436, or mobile,
+1-404-849-1140, or shawcm@corp.earthlink.net; or Angela Frechette of Text
100, +1-404-748-6468, or mobile, +1-404-915-7593, or angelaf@text100.com
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