Virtual Senior Center

		"This program is wonderful! It makes me feel less lonely. I can communicate easily with people. It also gives me a million things to talk about and things to get interested in. My daughter is ecstatic about this program. I am very proud to be a part of this exciting program. The computer gives me company. This program is a God send. You have made me very happy." - Milton (89)
Selfhelp’s Virtual Senior Center initiative is a public private partnership with Microsoft, the NYC Department for the Aging, NYC Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications and generously supported by the UJA-Federation of NY. The initiative places “extremely-easy-to-use” all-in-one, large (22 inch) touchscreen devices with integrated webcams into the homes of socially-isolated older New Yorkers to create an interactive experience that reduces social isolation, promotes wellness, and provides better access to community services. The program allows participates to engage in activities like discussion groups, museum lectures, and music classes from the comfort of their own home. For more information, please contact Scott Code at 212.971.7676 or vsc-info@selfhelp.net. Below are examples of some of the media attention and programmatic activities of Selfhelp’s Virtual Senior Center.

FOX News interviewed John Shalam, Chairman of The Consumer Electronics Association Foundation on July 17, 2012 regarding technology aiding homebound seniors and their grant to Selfhelp”s Virtual Senior Center program was mentioned. 
Click here to view video.

Click Here for More Articles on the Virtual Senior Center

Selfhelp Community Services, Inc., in conjunction with Microsoft Corporation and The City of New York are pleased to present the Virtual Senior Center, an innovative public-private partnership and demonstration project.  The Virtual Senior Center demonstrates how technology can be used in conjunction with senior centers to alleviate the isolation and loneliness of homebound seniors by enabling them to pursue active social lives.

View an experience of a Virtual Senior Center participant 

Update on Selfhelp's Virtual Senior Center

See Selfhelp's Virtual Senior Center on WNYE-TV. Click Here to See Video
“That’s So New York’s” Senior Correspondent Frank Lowe shows us how the internet is giving new life to homebound Senior Citizens facing social isolation. Selfhelp Community Services’ “Virtual Senior Center” (in partnership with Microsoft and the Dept. for the Aging) allows homebound Seniors to participate in activities like discussion groups and art classes using webcam technology, from the comfort of their own home.

Click below for video blogs and bios on the individual participants.