ORLANDO, Fla. — You can find Barbara Pinkston almost every day at the Central Florida Urban League in Pine Hills.

  • Barbara Pinkston teaches peers in Pine Hills about computing
  • She demonstrates how to check email, do online banking
  • Spectrum funds Seniors Exploring Technology program

A classroom there is filled with students because of her.

"I am a senior, and I love to get out with my people," Pinkston said.

She has helped recruit other senior citizens to be part of a five-week program called Seniors Exploring Technology, or SET.

After Hurricane Irma, Urban League helped seniors fill out FEMA applications, and it was there that the nonprofit realized a lot of the older people in the Pine Hills community did not know about or have access to online resources.

But Pinkston has been there every step of the way.

"Barbara has been wonderful in our program. We all love her because she cares so much about us," said Renee Brown, one of the students.

SET has taught seniors how to check their email, do online banking and make purchases on the web, among other things.

Eva Anderson, another senior in the class said, "I am so very glad I attended. I leave with a lot more knowledge. I walk out with a lot more knowledge than I entered with."

Urban League applied for a grant through Spectrum in which they received more than $35,000 for equipment and staffing for this program. Pinkston started as a student and is still around, but now, as a volunteer.

"Barbara is amazing. And honestly, there would be no program if it wasn't for Ms. Barbara," Central Florida Urban League President and CEO Glenton Gilzean said.

More than 130 seniors have already graduated from the basic technology class, but Pinkston hopes those numbers continue to grow.

"This is a family, no doubt about it. And I am so happy to be a part of this program," Pinkston added.

Urban League wants to provide a second class for seniors that dives even deeper into the world of technology.