'Tosa Tech Time': High schoolers help senior citizens work electronic devices

 

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- October is "Wisconsin Tech Month," celebrating all things technology.

But understanding the cyberworld can be challenging for some.

Inside of the Wauwatosa Public Library, learning continues to be front and center. But the teachers haven't even graduated high school yet.

"I needed service hours for school, but then I thought, oh, this would be a really fun and interesting idea, and I got to love it," said Gabriel Miller, junior at Marquette University High School.

Miller is among the newly minted geek squad at the Wauwatosa library, teaching senior citizens how to work their smart devices.

The tech program, only three classes in, has brought dozens of our "seasoned youth" to the library, asking, "how do you work these darn things (cellphones and iPads)?" 

"It's one of the things that you think you would know, because we are just on technology so much, but for them it's just something they are not used to," said Zach Kelrly, a freshman at Marquette University High School.

The pop-up tech hub is part of an initiative driven by the Wauwatosa Health Department, looking to bridge the gap between generations.

"We heard loud and clear, from all types of people in our community, that they were feeling disconnected, "said Carmen Pangilinan, public health strategist with the Wauwatosa Health Department.

Kelrly went on to say the sessions are fulfilling more than a service hour credit.

"It's kind of satisfaction that you can just help them and realize that their day is better because of that, and they can use that to help throughout their life."

The next Tosa Tech Times will be Feb. 16, March 1, and April 9 at the Wauwatosa Public Library.