WHY WAS THE CENTER CREATED? In 1998, Commissioner Radack analyzed the needs of senior citizens in the precinct.  The Commissioner concluded that an academically sound center for computer and non-computer based education was needed for senior citizens in Harris County.

• Local surveys indicate existing providers in Harris County lack the capacity to meet the demand for formal education for seniors, cost more than seniors can afford, and/or provide learning environments not suitable for the seniors.

• Seniors, especially those over 60, are among the least likely to have computer skills and among the least likely to engage in the formal lifelong learning needed to lead vibrant, financially independent, lives.

• There is a growing body of medical research that links active minds with healthy bodies in the senior population and suggests that formal, structured, educational experiences postpone mental and physical deterioration for seniors.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Over 4,000 participants have taken over 40,000 contact hours of instruction.
• Volunteers have donated over 13,000 hours of instruction.
• Volunteers receive free training, networking opportunities, and educational field trips.
• Oldest graduate is 92 years young.
• Oldest primary instructor is 82 years young.
• One instructor is hearing impaired and brings a hearing assistance dog to class to help her with high-pitched sounds.
• Facility is ADA compliant and is used by teachers and students with limited mobility, dexterity, or hearing problems.

Graduation Day!

WHY IS THIS PROGRAM SO SPECIAL?  "Non-leisure learning" training for seniors has been around for some time.  Many programs have failed.  Why is the SEC original, creative, and sustainable?

• This is a unique partnership between county government, federal government, community volunteers, and a non-profit organization.

• The government/non-profit partnership allows sufficient resources to be allocated to assure quality, make a major impact on the problem, provide program continuity, and provide maximum flexibility on program design.

• A supportive classroom setting is provided where students, instructors, and staff are all learning partners.

• Unlike many programs, courses have been designed specifically for seniors with special training and learning activities for volunteer instructors.

• The SEC set a precinct record for new program enrollment.  During the first application period in 1999, over 1,500 seniors applied to attend classes.  Classes began in January 2000.  Basic computer literacy classes, for example, are limited to 8 students per class so each senior gets maximum hands-on instruction and attention.