Net Literacy: Children Take the Lead

Kids bridge the digital divide by helping senior citizens learn to navigate the internet.  Net Literacy was founded by middle school students in 2003.  The organization has since developed a series of digital literacy projects: Senior Connects, Safe Connects, Financial Connects, and many more. Net Literacy has made computer access possible to more than 170,000 people with a small army of tech-savvy, student volunteers.

"One hundred million Americans do not have high speed Internet at home, and 18 million Americans live in areas with little or no broadband infrastructure.  Seniors, minorities, low-income and rural Americans remain disproportionately offline. "

The Net Literacy mission to get the digitally disconnected engaged has included students refurbishing 15,000 plus computers in just the last four years.

Meals On Wheels: Fighting Senior Hunger

The Senior Meals on Wheels Program offers a wide array of nutritional services to the elderly. Meals are prepared locally, target a senior's specific nutritional needs and provide one-third of the RDA or Recommended Daily Allowance of nutrition. The organization feeds more than one million senior citizens each day.

There are around 5,000 local Senior Nutrition Programs in the U.S. Some serve the population at dining halls in senior centers, others deliver meals directly to homes, particularly when mobility is limited. Wheels on Meals relies on both paid staff and countless volunteers.

Click to find a local Meals On Wheels organization.