By Victoria Dolan

Can’t read a text? Logged out of your email? Give Hull High senior Jake Smith a visit – in his spare time, Smith helps senior citizens navigate technological problems.

Every other Monday at 3 p.m., Smith helps seniors with any tech issues they may have at the Anne M. Scully Senior Center. He volunteers his services and offers one-on-one assistance.

Smith says many of the seniors he’s helped have recently gotten their first smartphone, so he teaches them “how to use a phone, make phone calls, read text messages” to make communication with loved ones more accessible.
Smith drew inspiration from his family. His mother is a nurse for the elderly, and “inspired me to do what I can to help those in need.”

When he saw the difficulty his grandmother had in using her phone, he saw a common problem. He wanted to teach other seniors to use theirs, so Smith contacted the senior center to find out how he could help.

Hull’s senior center had been hoping for just that kind of help.

“We had a lot of constituents coming in and asking for help with smartphones,” said Maura Quinn, the center’s activities coordinator.
Smith’s idea blossomed into a passion, and now he plans to continue the service until he starts college next fall.

“I make connections with a lot of the senior citizens, and I see the joy it gives them,” he said.

Senior Center Director Lisa Thornton said the teen’s service “helps them to feel confident and empowered,” and enables older adults to “live their lives comfortably with technology.”
Thornton had been hoping to start multigenerational programming and noted that Smith’s work is a “nice step towards that” as it connects youth and seniors and enables future connections by helping seniors gain experience with technology.
Smith is certainly well qualified for the job. He gained experience from an interest in technology that started when he was younger, and worked as a volunteer coach for an MIT robotics team. His interest gave him the background he needed, and the robotics team taught him to “troubleshoot problems and have patience while helping someone.”
For others hoping to help their community, Smith suggests they take a similar approach.

“Do something you like,” he advised, “something that you feel could be useful.”
“A lot of people underestimate how talented they are, and how much they have to offer,” Thornton added.

Hull High student Jake Smith’s next tech assistance hour at the Anne M. Scully Senior Center is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 25 at 3 p.m.

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