Tech & Tutors

Current Users

For existing users that are enrolled in the Tech & Tutor program.

Current User Info

New Users

Needham residents without access to technology are encouraged to apply.

New User Info

Get Involved

Learn more about how you can help the program as a tutor or with a gift.

Get Involved

Current Users

Info for Current Users

Navigating Your New Tablet Guide

Just getting started using your Tablet? Your Tablet is set up with all new Account ID’s and passwords. If you do not remember or have misplaced your account and password, please contact the Tech & Tutors phone line at: 781-444-2415 ext, 2120.

The basics of getting started can be found in our Tablet Basics document: Tablet BASICS

This document will show you how to turn your Tablet on and navigate getting on your wifi and logging in to your Tablet.

How to Use Your Email

Accessing your email is a great way to communicate with loved ones, businesses and much more! You should have received your email address and password when you got your Tablet. Instructions on how to access, write and receive email can be found here: Email BASICS

How to Zoom with Your Tablet

Using Zoom has become an essential part of staying connected to our families, doctors and much more. Instructions on how to access Zoom: Zoom BASICS

How Do I Get Help With My Tablet?

There are many workshops and classes available for you to get one-on-one time with one of our tutors. See the schedule below.

Give us Feedback

How is your Tablet Experience going?

If you have received a tablet from us, we would love your feedback on how and how often you use your tablet. We may be calling you for feedback or you can complete the survey at this link: Fire Tablet Feedback

Classes and Workshops

There are many opportunities to learn more about your Tablet.
Participants can attend group sessions at the Center at the Heights, or
make arrangements to work one on one with a volunteer tutor.
Please refer to the schedule below for class topics, dates and times.
To reserve a seat in an upcoming class, please call the Center at the Heights at 781-455-7500.
or, Stacey Fallon at 781-444-2415, ext. 2120.

Tech & Tutors at the Center at the Heights

Join us for a series of one hour Fire Tablet lessons followed by a Q & A session at the Center at the Heights. Each week there is a new topic that builds on the week before. By the end of the 8 week series, you will have a better understanding on how to navigate your tablet and utilize its various features to stay in touch with friends, family and your Needham community.

Please check out our most up-to-date schedules for classes at the Center at the Heights:

Sept. – Oct. – Tuesdays at 2pm – Fire Tablet Workshop (click to open full schedule of classes)
Thursdays, 11 am – 1 pm, 20 minute appointments available
Center at the Heights, 300 Hillside Ave in Needham
Please call The Center at the Heights to reserve
a 20 Minute Appointment at 781-455-7555* We are not Google or Apple support. We are Needham neighbors with experience in the fields of technology and/or education with an interest in sharing our knowledge so that those without access to or familiarity with technology do not fall into the “digital divide”.
Fridays, 10 am – 11 am – “Aging in a Technology Era” – drop-in mutual support with tech support guidance.
Have you gone to a restaurant where they ask you to “scan a code to see a menu?” Has your doctor told you to find your test results by logging into your “health portal?” Maybe you want to go to a concert but don’t know how to put your ticket into your phone wallet (whatever that is!) If you sometimes feel like a Fred Flintstone in a George Jetson world, then this session is for you! Come and share your experiences and/or frustrations in a good-humored, understanding and patient environment. In this safe space, you can vent and lean on your peers with some tech tutors for support. And, hopefully, through similar shared experiences, we can shed some light with compassion, technical insight, and direction so you can transition into this “techy” world more comfortably. Cost: FREE (Sponsored by Needham Community Council’s Tech and Tutor Program)

Drop In Support

Do you have 1 or maybe a few tech questions that you would like some help with*? Please schedule a Tech & Tutor visit at times listed below:

Mondays, 11 am – 12 pm
Where: Needham Community Council, 570 Hillside Ave
Please call 781-444-2415 ext. 2120
Thursdays, 11 am – 1 pm, 20 minute appointments available
Center at the Heights, 300 Hillside Ave in Needham
Please call The Center at the Heights to reserve
a 20 Minute Appointment at 781-455-7555

* We are not Google or Apple support. We are Needham neighbors with experience in the fields of technology and/or education with an interest in sharing our knowledge so that those without access to or familiarity with technology do not fall into the “digital divide”.

Fire Tablet (and More) Workshop Handouts

Our classes are interactive and we have found that attendees love a handout! So we try to create documentation that corresponds to our lesson and have links to those we have created so far. Please click on any of the links below to check out what we’re learning!

Introduction to your Fire Tablet – Learn Basic Tech Terminology, Powering On and Off and Connecting to WIFI

Tablet Apps Class – How to Add, Use and Remove Apps

Surfing the Web – Search the World Wide Web Using “Silk/Google” for Information

Using Fire Tablet Email – Open, Read, Send, Attach to and Reply to Emails

Using Zoom – How to Join and Control Zoom Meetings

Using the Library App, Hoopla, to Read Library Books, Watch Movies, Listen to Audiobooks for FREE on Your Tablet

Take “Selfies” and Pictures with Tablet Camera

Alexa – Your Own Personal Assistant Right on Your Fire Tablet!

BONUS WORKSHOPS:

Using File Manager Plus

Fire Tablet Symbols Cheat Sheet – What does this mean???

Scanning Documents with the Fire Tablet

Using Bluetooth on the Fire Tablet

Online Safety

Introduction to iPad

Using iPad Contacts

Using InstaCart with Your EBT/SNAP Card

Other Resources

Quick Reference Tips

The Tech & Tutors team will continue to create quick reference guides to help with some of our most commonly asked questions. To open a guide, just click on its link below:

How to Turn Your Tablet On

How to Connect to WIFI

How to Change Tablet Brightness

How to Change Your Gmail Password

How to Change Your Amazon Password

How to Turn Your Tablet Off

Using Hoopla to Access E-Books, Audiobooks and more….

Amazon Fire Help Page

To get help troubleshooting common issues with Fire Tablets you can access Amazon’s help page by clicking here: Fire Tablet Help

What's the Hoopla About?

What is all the Hoopla about?! Our tablet users can tell you that the Hoopla App can get you all the great digital media you get from the public library for free at HOME! You can borrow movies, ebooks, audiobooks, popular TV shows and more. Try the Hoopla app and have fun exploring the library from your own armchair!!

Check it out here: HOOPLA

Quick Reference Videos

The Tablets and Tutors team will continue to produce quick reference videos to help you to manage your tablet in a visual way. If you have recommendations for video tips, please email sfallon@needhamcouncil.org.

Adding Email Account to Tablet

Creating Your MyActiveCenter

Using MyActiveCenter to See COA/CATH Event Schedules and Register for Classes

New Users

General Information

Who is Eligible to Get a Tablet?

Any resident of Needham who does not have access to technology is encouraged to apply. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Amazon Fire Tablets are provided free of charge.

How to Request One?

To join the Tablets and Tutors Program program, begin by completing an Tablet Request and Pre-Assessment Form: Tablet Request Form

A staff member will be in touch with you about your Tablet needs and interests.

How Do I Learn How to Use It?

Your Tablet will be customized to make it easy to use right out of the box. A tutor will introduce you to the Tablet and its features during an initial one-on-one session. You can also attend our 8 week course at the Center at the Heights, or you may be partnered with a volunteer tutor by request (call Stacey at 781-444-2415, ext. 2120.

Do I Get to Keep the Tablet?

With the support of the Metrowest Health Foundation and your generous neighbors, we are able to provide these Tablets to Needham residents free of charge and you get to keep them. We do ask that you sign a User Agreement. You may see a copy of one here: Use Agreement.

Do I Need WIFI? And, are there Affordable WIFI Options?

Yes, to use the Amazon Fire Tablet (or any other device that requires the internet) you need to have WIFI. If you are not sure whether you have WIFI in your home or apartment, call your cable TV provider, Comcast, Verizon, etc. and ask if WIFI is included in your service.

If you do not have internet access you may qualify for Comcast Internet Essentials Program reduced access rate. Many other providers are now offering programs as well. For example, Verizon now offers a reduced access plan called Verizon Plus. In addition to provider discounts, the Federal Government offers a program that discounts your cable bill by $30. We found this link that provides information on how lower income families, older adults and students may access the internet for less money: INTERNET FOR LOWER INCOMES

Comcast Internet Essentials: Home Internet service for $9.95/month with no term contract, no cancellation fees. For more information, click here: COMCAST INTERNET ESSENTIALS

Verizon Forward Program: A discount Verizon offers to provide internet access to our customers who are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). With ACP and Verizon Forward Program, customers can get free internet service. No hidden fees. No equipment charges. For more information, click here: VERIZON FORWARD PROGRAM

AT&T Access: Internet service for $10/month with free installation, no annual contract and no deposit for eligile households. For more information, click here: AT&T ACCESS

Affordable Connectivity Plan, ACP (formally the Emergency Broadband Benefit, EBB): A federal government program that provides a benefit on home internet or wireless service for eligible households. If you currently have WIFI service, your bill could be decreased by up to $30 per month.

See below a list of local providers participating in ACP:
Cleo Communications: 614-285-4869
Comcast, Internet Essentials: 1-844-963-0178
Cox Communications: 866-439-1289
Earthlink: 888-327-8454
GCET: 413775-6400
Hughes Network Systems: 844-737-2700
Otelco: 833-683-5261
RCN: 800-746-4726
T-Mobile: 1-800-937-8997
Verizon: 1-800-837-4966

Get Involved

Become a Tutor

We are currently seeking volunteers that would be interested in helping to support this program and it’s participants.

While some experience with technology is important, patience and gentle learning style is what our new learners most need.

We will provide an Amazon Fire Tablet and basic training to help you support our new users.

If you are interested, please apply here:
Tech & Tutors – Tutor Application or contact our Tech and Tutors Program Manager at sfallon@needhamcouncil.org.

Give a Gift

The Tech & Tutors Program is made possible with the support of our generous neighbors.

Join your friends and neighbors by making a gift today and help make technology accessible to all!

Give Now

Current Hours

Office/Phones:
Monday - Friday	8:30 am – 4:00 pm


Thrift Donation Site:
Monday	10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuesday & Thursday	10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday	10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday	10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Thrift Shop:
Monday	10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuesday & Thursday	10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday	10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday	10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Food Pantry:

Accepting new customers and current customers by reservation only. Please call 781-444-2415 for details.

Council offices and all programs are closed on most major holidays. We follow the Needham Public School weather closings

Gloria-Kwei

Gloria came to the United States as a foreign student from Taiwan. She enrolled in UC Berkeley, and upon earning her PhD, started a 30+ year career with Pharma companies Merck and Novartis, and had moved with these companies to several states before settling in Needham in 2004.

Over the years Gloria volunteered with many community organizations. Gloria is especially interested in nutrition education, and mentoring young scientists through their careers. She is an aspiring gardener/farmer, and when not consulting or teaching, spends time at the Needham community farm. She thoroughly enjoyed a recent role as an English Language Learning tutor at Needham Community Council and looks forward to working with the Council to give back to the community.

Kalindi-Kango

Kalindi has masters degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India. She initially began her career at Computer Vision in Burlington, MA and later worked as a software consultant for Fortune 500 companies like Johnson and Johnson and Pfizer. Kalindi has lived in Florida, New Jersey, California and returned back to Massachusetts. She and her husband with two daughters moved here in Needham in 2015 and quickly found strong ties to the Needham Community. Both her daughters graduated from Needham High School and continued to pursue higher professional education.

Over the years Kalindi has volunteered her time at various non-profits including Saheli - a non-profit for battered women from south Asian and middle eastern community, as a treasurer for Pony Club of Northern California, and librarian at Bridgewater-NJ Elementary School. Most recently, during Covid-19 crisis, she participated in Boston Area Mask Initiative, a movement that provided over 60000 masks to underserved population by sewing them at her Needham residence. She contributed to local groups within Needham-Wellesley area in sewing and distributing surgical caps and masks for healthcare workers at local hospitals. Prior to being on the Council Board, Kalindi worked as a volunteer at the council to streamline recording of volunteer hours and medical equipment loaning records. She looks forward to working with the council in coming years and helping achieve the Council goals and support the Needham community.

Susan Mitchell

Susan is a geriatrician and health services researcher at the Hebrew SeniorLife Marcus Institute for Aging Research and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Susan is originally from Montreal. She is a graduate of the University of Ottawa medical school and has a Master’s of Public Health from Harvard University. Her career has largely focused on conducting research to improve the quality of life of older persons with serious illness, particularly dementia.

She moved to the Needham from Canada in 2000. She lives with her partner, has two step-children, and enjoys hiking with her beloved labradoodle through the Town Forest. Susan loves living in Needham and looks forward to contributing to the community.

David-Carter

David is a Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Fidelity Investments providing legal counsel to the firm’s asset management and operations businesses. David specializes in mutual fund corporate governance matters, including substantial involvement with mutual fund boards of directors, as well as SEC rulemaking processes.

David has held a variety of roles in Fidelity’s legal department since joining Fidelity in 2005. From 2010 to 2014, David led a team of lawyers and project managers who coordinated Fidelity’s response to rulemaking following the financial crisis. Prior to joining Fidelity, David spent five years as associate at Ropes & Gray, where he worked on a broad range of corporate and securities law matters.

David received his A.B. in Economics from the University of Michigan and his JD from Harvard Law School. He has lived in Needham since 2008 with his wife and their two sons

Joyce McCafferty

Joyce cannot believe she has lived in Needham for 10 years. It still seems like yesterday when the McCafferty family moved into town. Despite not having friends nor family here, the family has forged strong bonds of friendship with neighbors within this welcoming community and are proud to call Needham home.

Armed with a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Joyce’s career began in pharmaceuticals. Stay at home parenting temporarily interrupted her career trajectory. However, this detour pales in comparison with her current pursuit of a new career in healthcare as an EMT and ski patroller.

Previously active in ParentTalk, Joyce is excited at the opportunity to serve the larger community of Needham.

Andrea Wasserman

Andrea B. Wasserman is an innovative leader, effective strategist, and philanthropy expert. She consistently inspires clients to exceed their fundraising goals by focusing on smart development strategies and unleashing the right talent.

As Founder and President of the boutique organizational development firm ABW Partners (formerly Social Profit Ventures), Andrea has partnered with nearly 50 clients on customized engagements around the design and execution of exceptional advancement and fundraising programs. Andrea also delivers an expansive array of fundraising coaching, proficiency building, and learning opportunities from the c-suite and board level to development departments and cross-organization teams.

Before launching her firm in 2012, Andrea was the catalyst behind fundraising at various high-performing local, national, and international nonprofits. Charged with the responsibility of driving comprehensive and sustainable financial resource development, Andrea assumed pivotal roles at UJA Federation of New York, Wall Street Division; United Jewish Communities (first as the Director of National Young Leadership Cabinet and then Director of National Women’s Constituency); Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School; and BBYO International.

In concert with dynamic colleagues and stakeholders at these and other organizations, Andrea has successfully built cultures, systems, teams, and strategies that have yielded tens of millions of philanthropic dollars to foster vibrant communities worldwide.

Passionate about her family, friends, and community, Andrea resides in Needham with her husband Adam, son Zachary, and labradoodle Tucker. The Wassermans are members of Temple Beth Shalom in Needham.

Mary Richman

Mary, her husband Jeff and three kids (Noa, Patrick and Evie) have lived in Needham since they moved here from DC in 2007.

Mary graduated from the University of Virginia where she studied Finance and Marketing. She now works as a part-time consultant, providing marketing and financial analysis services for a few local companies.

Mary became involved in the Needham Community through her work at Parent Talk, first as their Fundraising Chair and then as a Co-President for 2 years.

Prior to being on the Council Board, Mary was familiar with the Council through her volunteer work as PTC Co-President at the Mitchell School.

Alrie McNiff Daniels

Alrie has more than two decades of nonprofit experience. Currently director of communications and stakeholder engagement at Point32Health Foundation, she previously worked at FSG, a mission-driven consulting firm; the American Cancer Society; and as a strategic communications consultant. A certified Reframing Aging facilitator, Alrie works locally, regionally and nationally to help organizations communicate more effectively on aging, ageism and issues important to older people.

Alrie's community and volunteer service includes fundraising for established nonprofit organizations, board roles on neighborhood associations, pro bono support for emerging nonprofits and numerous roles at her children’s schools. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Library Foundation of Needham.

A native New Yorker, Alrie lived in Washington, DC; Alameda, CA; Chapel Hill, NC; Natick, MA; and Falls Church, VA, during her husband’s Coast Guard career. They moved to Needham in 2003.

Jonathan Kappel

Jonathan is the Executive Director of Principal Gifts for Clark University.

Previous to working at Clark, Jonathan worked as a fundraising professional at the Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee and Clark University where he has returned after 10 years. Jonathan received the Senn-Greenberg award for excellence in staff leadership from the Anti-Defamation League.

Jonathan and his wife, Carol, co-created the Ultimate Pink Drink fundraiser benefiting breast cancer research. He is also a past board member of the Needham Educational Foundation (NEF).

Lynn-Gotwals

Lynn Gotwals has been a Needham resident for 23 years. She and her husband raised their two daughters here.

Lynn is a teacher at the Mitchell School in Needham. Previously, she worked in project management for several nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

Lynn's previous volunteer work includes serving on the boards of the Needham Education Foundation, Needham Steps Up and the Outreach Committee at the Congregational Church of Needham. She began working with the Community Council as a Team Captain for the Ride for Food, an annual ride to benefit food pantries in the area.

Lynn has a B.A. from Smith College and a M.Ed. from Lesley University.

Linda Farley

Vice President

Linda grew up in Needham; in 2000, she and her husband, Brian returned to Needham.

Linda has been active in Needham organizations including Newcomers, Parent Talk, and Needham Pool & Racquet Club. She’s also been involved in various school and youth sports activities through her 3 children who graduated from Needham High School.

Linda has been an HR professional for 30+ years including roles in high tech, consulting and healthcare; in 2018 Linda joined Needham Bank to lead its HR and Learning and Development team.

In addition to volunteering on the Board of the Needham Community Council, Linda serves on the Board of the Greater New England/National Multiple Sclerosis Society and participates on the Bike MS-Ride the Vineyard Committee and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.

Diane DerMarderosian

Diane was born and raised in Needham.

Diane graduated from Amherst College and then attended the Mount Sinai School of Medicine where she was selected to be part of the Humanities and Medicine Program. She completed her residency training in pediatrics at Brown University where she is the Pediatric Director of the Hasbro Partial Hospital Program, an integrated, family-based day program for children with complex medical and psychological issues. She is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Previously, Diane served as the Medical Director of the Hasbro Children’s Hospital Eating Disorders Program and worked for many years as a primary care pediatrician at a health center in Roxbury.

Diane serves on the Patient and Family Centered Care Steering Committee at Hasbro, the Medical Advisory Board for Reach Out and Read RI, and the Patient and Family Centered Care Advisory Council at BID-Needham.

Diane lives in Needham with her husband, Peter, and sons PJ and Armen.

John Frantz

Treasurer

Currently retired, John was previously employed by The Boston Consulting Group. There he provided consulting services to major corporations, held a senior internal financial management position, and led an Investment Committee with oversight responsibility for the firm's U.S. retirement plans.

2022 marks John's seventh year on the Needham Community Council Board. He is also on the Board of the Charles River School, a preK-8 school in Dover, and New England Justice for Our Neighbors, a non-profit that welcomes and supports immigrants. He is active in service and outreach activities with Carter Memorial United Methodist Church in Needham, and serves as the chair of the church's endowment team, which oversees the church's endowment funds.

Kathleen Berner

Secretary

Kathleen is currently the Marketing Lead for Accenture in Boston & Hartford — a role she has held since May 2019.

Previously, Kathleen was the Senior Director of Services Marketing at Staples. She joined Staples in 2010 and held various leadership roles in marketing–driving stores, staples.com and salesforce performance. Prior to Staples, Kathleen started an in-house agency; managed customer service; and implemented an email program for the Upromise College Savings and Loyalty program. She also supported clients at Digitas in the online education, automotive and wireless industries.

Kathleen and her husband live in Needham with their three children. She has volunteered at The Council since 2016 as co-chair of the Annual Holiday Boutique.

In 2010, Kathleen managed fundraising for City of Hope’s Spirit of Life nominee. She currently serves on several committees for the Needham High School PTC and serves on the board of advisors at Research Institute for Learning & Development in Lexington.

Kathleen is a graduate of Tufts University and holds a master’s degree from the Boston College Carroll School of Management.

Lynn Alberding

President

Lynn joined the Board of the Needham Community Council in 2015. Prior to joining the Board, Lynn participated in the Council’s English Language Learners tutor training program and volunteered as a tutor with that program for several years. She worked as a one-on-one tutor, a leader of group classes, and as a program administrator. Lynn developed and taught several literature-based classes for Advanced English learners as well as a Beginners English class for Russian speakers, and formalized a process for matching students and tutors that resulted in hundreds of successful partnerships.

Lynn is the Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at William James College in Newton, MA. Prior to joining William James College, Lynn was the Director of Development at Wondermore, Inc., also in Newton, MA.

Lynn and her husband, Peter, raised three children who attended Needham Public Schools. From 2010 - 2020, Lynn was active volunteer in the Needham Public Schools, most notably with the Mitchell and Pollard PTCs and with the Needham High School Athletic Boosters and the Friends of Music.

Lynn holds a B.A. in Economics from Wesleyan University, and an M.S. in Accounting and an MBA from Northeastern University.

Robert Dermody

Past President

Robert J. Dermody was born and raised in Needham, MA. After graduating from Needham High School, he attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Robert then pursued a Master of Architecture degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.

Robert is very active in the Needham community as a Town Meeting Member, and with the Exchange Club. He also serves on the Design Review Board, and Community Preservation Committee.

Robert is a Professor of Architecture at Roger Williams University in Bristol Rhode Island, and is a licensed architect in Massachusetts. I

n his spare time, Bob is a volunteer docent with Boston By Foot, and a BayWatcher for the Coalition for Buzzards Bay. His grandmother, Frances K. Dermody, was the first Executive Director of the Needham Community Council, a position she held for 25 years.

Community Volunteer Resources

We are in the process of creating a community wide volunteer resource guide that will allow you and your family to find opportunities to help in Needham. Please check back again soon.