By Doris Christelis, Contributing Writer
Westborough – Kylie O”Donoghue has been extra busy on Wednesdays recently. O”Donoghue, a freshman at Westborough High School, is volunteering a few hours each Wednesday after school at the Westborough Senior Center, where she helps seniors tackle whatever computer problems they might have.
New to the Westborough Senior Center, 45-minute one-on-one tutoring sessions with O”Donoghue are available for seniors to sign up. Senior Center Outreach Case Manager Mary Donna Corcoran finds the new service helpful.
“Whether she is helping seniors learn how to turn their computer on, or teaching them how to change their Facebook privacy settings, Kylie has fast become a popular resource to our seniors,” Corcoran said.
Spots for O”Donoghue's assistance fill up fast and there is often a wait list. O”Donoghue, who is not receiving any school credit for her work, started the endeavor in March and anticipates she will help the seniors through June at least.
“I love doing this,” she said. “The seniors are so grateful for any help I can provide …
A lot of them want to be able to communicate with their grandchildren via email, so I spend a lot of time answering their questions about how to set up email and help them understand how to use it. But some people have never used a computer and I have to help them learn basic things like how to move a mouse.”
Senior Jean Conway is one of O”Donoghue's clients. She uses email regularly and even has a Facebook account, but when she saw the announcement in the Senior Center bulletin, she booked an appointment to get help in understanding some settings that she was unsure about.
“I think it is wonderful that Kylie is here helping us. She is so helpful,” Conway said.
Westborough seniors are invited to sign up for sessions with O”Donoghue on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the Westborough Senior Center at 508-366-3000.
