MSSM students lend tech support
to Presque Isle homeless shelter
Youths install computer lab donated by MMG Insuranc
LIMESTONE — Six students of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics donated their time and expertise on earlier this year to install a computer lab at the Sister Mary O’Donnell Homeless Shelter in Presque Isle. The computers for the new lab were contributed by employees of MMG Insurance through an effort spearheaded by Kris Mehta, MMG’s senior programmer/analyst.
Lisa Green, program manager at the shelter, said the computers will help the facility’s residents search for housing and employment opportunities, complete and print resumes, and stay in touch with family and loved ones. “We are getting ready to roll out educational classes aimed at helping our residents find gainful employment. The computer lab will play a crucial role in those classes.” Green added, “We cannot thank MSSM enough for all that has been done for our shelter.”
It took students about two and a half hours to get all the systems up and running.
MSSM youths previously volunteered their time last month to help paint the shelter’s interior; the magnet school donated equipment and cabinetry that it was replacing in its dorm kitchen.
It was then that MSSM Resident Instructor Cynthia Trapnell learned that the shelter would soon be getting a computer lab donated by MMG.
As MSSM students tend to have a technological inclination, Trapnell and her students saw an opportunity for additional volunteerism and agreed to install the lab. While many students were willing to lend a hand, volunteers were selected on a first come, first served basis; volunteers were David Chen of Thomaston, Ryan Kelly of Mapleton, Thomas Murphy of Rockport, Hayden Satoris of Brunswick, Kineo Wallace of Milo, and Andy Whitman of Holden.
Executive Director of MSSM Luke Shorty applauded the efforts of students and their instructor for their volunteerism and expressed that the youths should be proud of themselves.
Trapnell said that MSSM students will be trying to volunteer at the shelter at least once a month.
“I’m always impressed by the amount of time our students spend in the community,” Shorty said. “Their leadership and dedication to helping those in need will serve them well in life.”
In addition to the computers, MSSM students helped to install game systems, also donated by MMG employees. Green called the gaming consoles a “bonus.”
“We are excited to have the games because they will provide some much needed entertainment to reduce stress, which leads to a happier shelter overall,” she said, adding that educational games can help children to strengthen reading, writing, and social skills as well as their hand-eye coordination.
