For the better part of the last year, members of the Fairview High School Key Club have been volunteering their time helping seniors overcome technology barriers.

Every Wednesday, a couple of students from the 90-member Key Club have been visiting seniors at the Lorain Road center -- with positive results.

Fairview Park Senior Life Office Director Laura Brondos said one of her goals at the center is to offer more intergenerational programming.

“Our ‘Teen Tech Support’ program is important for teens, because it gives them a sense of purpose and responsibility, as well as access to life advice and knowledge from older adults,” she said.

“For seniors, it’s important because they can share their wisdom and stories -- and learn how to unsubscribe from those annoying emails, change their passwords or connect their hearing aids via Bluetooth.”

Fairview High School French teacher Meghann Peters, who is also the Key Club adviser, said the students are getting a kick out of the experience.

“Our club mission is that we just want the students to give back to our community,” she said.

“It’s about bettering our community. It’s about trying to help as many people as we can.”

That includes spending time at the senior center, in addition to volunteering with Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services and programming at Gilles-Sweet Elementary School.

“The response from the seniors has been very positive,” Brondos said.

“A member shared that she was at first embarrassed to ask the students because she had a very simple tech question, but the student was so kind and didn’t laugh.”

While in theory Key Club students are hoping to complete 20 hours of community service to earn graduation seals for their volunteer work, Peters said most of the teenagers are participating just for the fun of it.

“Helping the seniors at the senior center with their tech issues is an experience that really makes everyone in the community feel more connected to each other,” Fairview High School senior Nicole Giang said.

“It’s great knowing that the seniors have people to rely on, and it’s gratifying for everyone who volunteers to be able to have a one-on-one connection with so many amazing community members.”

In addition to sitting down with the seniors to hear their stories and advice, the Key Club secretary said she always walks away feeling like they’ve helped her more than she has helped them.

“We all love seeing the seniors and students talking and laughing together,” Brondos said.

“It’s a very rewarding program for all.”