Digital Ambassador Meti Behailu helps resident Mary Tripp learn how to operate her blood pressure monitor.
One of the first things Mary Tripp pulled out of her bag was her new blood pressure monitor. It was a digital model, and the 73-year-old retiree wasn’t sure how to use it.
She hoped someone at the Digital Ambassadors’ monthly Advice About Your Device session could help her figure it out. They did.
“This is wonderful in that it really addresses a need,” said Tripp. “What impresses me most is that these young people are skilled, curious, patient, and they don’t roll their eyes at you!”
The City’s Digital Ambassadors run the free program which is comprised of high school students who completed the Raleigh Digital Connectors program.
Meti Behailu is a student at Leesville Road High School. The 16-year-old says she gets as much out of the monthly sessions as the residents who walk through the door.
“It makes me feel happy,” she told us. “I like helping people and hearing their stories. This combines both. I get to hear about their journey while helping them with their issues they’re having with their device.”
The one-on-one help sessions began under the guidance of Yanira Campos, the Digital Inclusion program manager. She tells us it was born from personal experience.
“I know every time I go home my mom has so many questions for me on how to do something or set up something on her phone or tablet, so I figured that’s probably true for other people,” said Campos. “I think this helps fill in the gaps and helps us to help others.”
So, what does this program mean to people? Just talk to Carolyn Moore and you’ll get a pretty good idea of its importance. She stopped by to get help in uploading a profile picture to Zoom.
“I really, really appreciate this. These are smart kids and I just wish I could carry them around with me every day. I’ll definitely be back!”
The Digital Ambassadors will hold drop-in hours one Saturday each month from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. at the Raleigh Pathways Center.