The Beginning:

The Golden Mouse Club is a computer club started in 1997 by a group of residents of Messiah Village Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.  The organization was formed to introduce the benefits of using computers to residents with no previous experience, and to enhance the skills of those with a background in computers.

Computers:

When the club began, it consisted of a few residents and a staff sponsor who taught the use of computers purchased through the Messiah Village Auxiliary.  Interested residents enrolled in a local computer school, and staff volunteers became mentors. Trained computer teachers then came on campus teaching classes in our computer classroom. Several hundred residents took advantage of this opportunity.

Monthly Meetings:

Monthly meetings have been a strengthening factor of the Club. Guest speakers or residents give vital information and demonstrations of the use of computers. This has encouraged a growing number of residents to become efficient in using them for a wide variety of personal enjoyment and projects.

E-mail Directory:

A directory of e-mail addresses is now available to allow ease of communication among residents as well as with Messiah Village staff members. Because of this learning opportunity with the Golden Mouse Club many residents have purchased their own computers.

Teachers and Handbooks:

Teaching is continued by both community and resident volunteers as they mentor, write handbooks, and assist those who are no longer able to use the computer directly.  Messiah Village has provided additional computers that are available in every level of living. Residents meet with their mentors in the computer classroom.

Enlarging Contacts:

Our organization has created interest beyond our campus. We have interacted with our local high schools, PANPHA, and Messiah College . Our contact with other retirement centers and sharing our teaching videos, CD, and handbooks have helped other Seniors to learn of the enjoyment and the many advantages of using computers.

Media Coverage:

Messiah Village and the sponsoring Church publication, “The Echoes” and “ Evangelical Visitor” have followed our growth by having articles during these years. Our local newspapers, “The Carlisle Sentinel” and the Harrisburg “Patriot News” have frequently published articles about our variety of activities. We enjoyed having a brief segment telling of our resident's use of computers featured on National Television with ABC's “Good Morning America .”

Chuck Rhodes of our local ABC TV station spent several hours with us to learn how our residents are using computers. He televised his observations on “Out and About with Chuck Rhodes.”

GMC Web Site:

We feel that creating our GMC Web Site is giving another tool of learning. It gives a wide range of activities for leisure time as well as vital information for the ever changing needs in the life of a Senior Citizen.