Michelle, who is based out of Regina, (new window) Saskatchewan (new window), has been a Distance Computer Comfort volunteer for the past year and a half with the Neil Squire Society (new window). So far she has worked one-on-one with two clients, teaching them the basics of how to use a computer. She meets up with them on-line twice a week for two hours at a time using a program called moodle (new window).

“In the beginning of the three month course, the clients are timid and don’t know much about the computer or the hardware,” says Michelle. “But they are willing and excited to learn. Each client learns at their own pace.”

Michelle was very attentive while teaching, making sure the each participant learned many of the basic skills. “One client made his own notes. I could tell he practiced at home because after a couple weeks, he came to one of the sessions all excited to show me what he had learned. I was very impressed. Moving forward seemed to come easier for him.”

By learning many necessary computer skills, this particular client is now enrolled in the three month Employ-Ability Program at the Neil Squire Society.

“I look forward to when the light bulb turns on for the client and they finally understand a concept that they have been trying so hard to figure out,” says Michelle.

“I look forward to when the light bulb turns on for the client and they finally understand a concept that they have been trying so hard to figure out.”