WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SeniorNet announces the opening of its sixth Indian Reservation Learning Center in cooperation with the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED). Located primarily in Queets, Washington, home of the Quinault Tribe about 90 miles from Taholah, the new center will allow residents of the reservation to earn GEDs, train and search for jobs, and communicate with relatives in other parts of the country.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to see our people use computers to enhance their quality of life. We also want to thank the volunteer tutors who give selflessly of their time to teach our tribe members – young and old. What the online world has to offer will be enlightening,” said Fawn Sharp, chief of the Quinault Tribe.
More than 90 percent of Reservations lack access to high speed Internet and studies have shown that when it is available, Native Americans make higher use of it for learning and e-commerce than other groups. The new center’s computers, training and software were made possible by donations from companies such as IBM, Microsoft, Verizon, Adobe and AT&T.
“SeniorNet is pleased to be able to bring 21st Century communication tools and training to members of the Quinault Tribe,” said Leslie M. Smith, SeniorNet board chairman and IBM Business Development Executive. “Our volunteers and sponsors are committed to providing on-ramps to the digital highway to all rural and underserved areas.”
About SeniorNet
SeniorNet (www.seniornet.org) is the nation's premier and most respected nonprofit organization specializing in computer and Internet education for adults over 55 and those with a need. Since 1986, SeniorNet has empowered more than one million Boomers and Seniors by providing encouragement, lifelong learning opportunities and new worlds to explore via the Internet. Based in Herndon, Virginia, it has approximately 6,000 members. SeniorNet is staffed by more than 3,000 volunteers and has almost 65 Learning Centers in the United States, including Indian Reservations and underserved areas.