Class President Raymond Kresge vowed to provide more opportunities to the Fifth Form as part of his election. But it was not just a campaign promise. It was inspired by his desire for connection in a world where technology often isolates more than it unites.
The premise of “Juniors Helping Seniors” is implied by its name. Haverford students visit local senior centers to help elders learn and use modern technology.
At the first event on August 26 at the Wayne Senior Center, a small group of students, including Fifth Former Thomas Lentz and Fifth Former Christian Case, guided seniors through questions about FaceTime, settings, and other apps. These one-on-one Q&A-style sessions aim to combat the loneliness many face with age, while also encouraging small talk across generations.
Most people think of tech support as troubleshooting, but this initiative is more than tech hour; it’s about students who share a part of their day, and in return, they hear stories, wisdom, and different perspectives from seniors.
One Sixth Former told Kresge, “You’re truly making an impact in our world.”
Kresge’s vision stemmed from his own family. His grandparents were not tech-literate. As he grew older, he cherished every moment he could connect with them, whether in person or through FaceTime.
“But really, service should be about giving 100 percent and really listening. When you give your time, you get just as much in return.”
Raymond Kresge ’27
“Family is my anchor,” Kresge said. “At the end of the day, what matters most is time spent with your loved ones.”
After losing his grandparents, Kresge wanted to give back by helping other elders stay connected with their families and communities.
For Kresge, the values behind Juniors Helping Seniors extend beyond service hours.
“Too often, people volunteer to check off a box for college,” Kresge said. “But really, service should be about giving 100 percent and really listening. When you give your time, you get just as much in return.”
Although Kresge brought Juniors Helping Seniors to life, he insists the program is not about him. It is about the idea that students and seniors, generations and often worlds apart, can both gain from coming together.
Seniors learn to use technology to stay connected with loved ones, while students discover that wisdom often comes from simply sitting down and lending an ear.
“Technology can isolate us,” Kresge said. “But it can also connect us in more ways than one. The experience you create with it is everything.”
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