Okanagan College Enactus students were presented with a $9,700 cheque from Interior Savings Credit Union in support of their initiative to promote seniors害羞草研究所� wellness through tech-savvy training.

Through the Silver Surfers program, Okanagan College Enactus students provide resources and coaching to enhance the abilities of seniors to communicate with loved ones and safely explore the Internet.

The program offers student-to-senior mentorship and step-by-step illustrated guides on technology use with tools such as the iPad. The highly-portable program helps address the social isolation and mental health issues often felt by seniors and provides opportunities for them to increase their cognitive abilities.

害羞草研究所淲e wanted to find a way to use our entrepreneurial skills to create tangible change in the community,害羞草研究所� says Rebecca Alfred, who co-founded the program alongside fellow Okanagan College School of Business students Daniel Alfred, Sam Jamieson and Meaghan Barnard. 害羞草研究所淲e are thrilled that Interior Savings is recognizing the demand for Silver Surfers in the Okanagan and investing in the program害羞草研究所檚 growth.害羞草研究所�

For Interior Savings, this partnership was a logical extension to their recent certification as the first age-friendly financial institution in B.C.

害羞草研究所淚nterior Savings has made a commitment to help lead the way in building more age-friendly communities,害羞草研究所� said Kathy Conway, CEO of Interior Savings. 害羞草研究所淪ilver Surfers will help a generation who grew up making phone calls and sending letters in the mail remain socially connected in a very different environment. We害羞草研究所檙e excited to support these students in helping build a community that is more inclusive and connected, regardless of age.害羞草研究所�

The Silver Surfers program educates seniors on a range of tech topics over four one-hour sessions害羞草研究所揻rom learning to use power and volume controls, to sending emails and performing searches, to taking a selfie and making video calls.

It also includes the subject of cyber security, an important concern for seniors new to technology, as they may be more susceptible to online fraud schemes.

Popularity of the program has already increased by word-of-mouth since the Silver Surfers piloted their program at a Kelowna retirement home in May 2016. They are currently running their fourth and fifth programs at two different seniors residences and have grown to more than 30 volunteer mentors.

The gift will enhance the Silver Surfers program through the construction of a website to boost their online presence and provide for the purchase of wireless routers and tablets that will enable the program to run simultaneously in multiple locations.

The students are already seeing the rewards of their efforts 害羞草研究所� a recent survey of program participants showed an 86 per cent increase in the number of online interactions between the residents and their loved ones.

害羞草研究所淎s students, running programs through Enactus provides challenging business experience in an accepting environment,害羞草研究所� Alfred explains. 害羞草研究所淭his donation enables us as students to continue to grow the program and make an impact on the community.害羞草研究所�

The group hopes the new website, which launches this week, will be an effective tool for increasing awareness of the program, engaging supporters and inspiring volunteers in the Okanagan Valley and beyond.

To learn more about the Silver Surfers program and how to be involved, visit silversurfersoc.com.

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EDS: Please find attached JPG image (left to right) of:

Sonya Barker, Community Relations Coordinator, Interior Savings Credit Union

Dr. Heather Banham, Dean, Okanagan College School of Business (OSB)

Devin Rubadeau, Enactus Faculty Advisor and OSB professor, Okanagan College

Daniel Alfred, Enactus member, Silver Surfers co-founder

Dr. Kyleen Myrah, Enactus Faculty Advisor and OSB professor, Okanagan College

Rebecca Alfred, Enactus member, Silver Surfers co-founder

Kathy Conway, President and CEO, Interior Savings Credit Union

Sam Jamieson, Enactus member, Silver Surfers co-founder

Zabrina Semchuk, Enactus member

Meaghan Barnard, Enactus member, Silver Surfers co-founder

Samantha Little, Enactus member