Seniors Get Surf Savvy
Intel Learning Center opens at New Horizons in
Marlborough
MARLBOROUGH, Mass. Seniors at New Horizons at Marlborough are
learning that "it's not just their grandchild's Internet
anymore!"
The 420-resident not-for-profit retirement community has recently
paired with Hudson-based Intel Massachusetts, Inc., to open
a new computer learning center at New Horizons. For Intel Massachusetts,
the new lab is the third of its kind the company has opened
in the area. Intel has established the other two similar labs
at Council on Aging centers in both Hudson and Marlborough.
Intel explains that its corporate volunteer program, "Intel
Involved," encourages and promotes employee volunteerism
within the community. During the past 10 years that Intel has
operated in Hudson, employees have participated in a number
of local worthy causes. This has included painting at the Boys
and Girls Clubs, cleaning up the Assabet River, hosting computer
and television recycling events, and other community-focused
efforts.
The man primarily responsible for introducing the Intel program
to New Horizons is Martial Frechette. In 2005 Frechette, a process
engineer at Intel, began building relationships with several
of the residents at New Horizons, which was also home to his
now late uncle Albert Frechette. The younger Frechette's selected
community service through the Intel Involved program was teaching
computer skills to seniors. Spurred by the success of his work,
fellow Intel process engineer Penny Iannelli joined Freschette
in the New Horizons program a year later.
By 2007, the number of New Horizons seniors signing up for
computer classes had jumped dramatically. In response, New Horizons
committed to dedicating not only space for a new computer learning
center, but also new user-friendly furniture for its users.
With the collaboration growing, Intel pledged a $10,000 grant
to New Horizons for the purchase of new computer equipment.
The generous donation gave birth to the Albert Frechette Intel
Computer Learning Center, in memory of Martial Frechette's uncle.
The center is well equipped with multiple desktop computers,
large screen overhead television monitors, a printer, and wireless
capability for as many as eight students working simultaneously.
Intel volunteers will provide classes to in-house seniors on
alternate Thursdays. The center is open to New Horizons residents
at many other times, as well.
A three-year resident of New Horizons and the driving force
for this program, Albert Frechette died in 2007. His sisters,
Irene King and Connie York, continue to reside at New Horizons.
"It is an honor to have Albert remembered this way,"
King said. "He was very helpful to Martial and very much
interested in computers; they were his passion," she added.
On behalf of Intel, Martial Frechette spearheaded the grant
process for New Horizons and also personally selected and purchased
the equipment for the new center.
Together, Frechette and Iannelli are encouraging New Horizons
residents to explore the vast opportunities of today's Information
Age.
The seniors participating in computer classes now surf the
Internet, install software, send email, and can even manage
their personal finances. "Technology and computer skills
are a necessity for the future. With the help of Intel employees,
New Horizons' seniors can now experience technology at its best,"
said Marlborough resident Robert O'Connor, New Horizons' executive
director since the facility opened in 1994.
A not-for-profit community, New Horizons' 40-acre Hemenway
Street campus offers multiple care programs for its residents.
According to O'Connor, this includes independent apartment style
living, full service retirement housing, traditional assisted
living, and Alzheimer care, as well as geriatric mental health.
"Our continuum of care offers seniors wonderful opportunities
to enjoy life with virtually whatever level of adjustable services
they prefer and need," he noted.
Along with its not-for-profit sister facility, New Horizons
at Choate in Woburn, the Marlborough New Horizons is owned and
operated by Woburn-based Cummings Foundation. Since the Foundation's
establishment 1986, Winchester's Joyce and William Cummings,
along with their family, have funded the organization almost
in its entirety. According to local statistics, Cummings Foundation
has developed into one of the largest charitable foundations
in New England.
