Since it's a new year and we are restarting Tech Tuesday today, we thought it would be a good time to reintroduce you to Jensen Gelfond. Jensen is the founder of Asheville Digital Lifestyle and a committed member of the 12 Baskets community with his wife Beth.
About a year ago Jensen and his co-facilitator Jamilah Dixon were looking for a place to have their monthly Community Forum meeting and came across our space which had newly been opened up to community group hosting after hours. After that Jensen realized just how special the space and the people within were. Wanting to get more involved, Jensen began volunteering at the cafe during lunch, serving tables and talking to patrons. He noticed the need for tech help quickly and stepped up suggesting a twice monthly Tech-Tuesday. This soon evolved to him bringing technology assistance to 12 Baskets Cafe every Tuesday during lunch (from 11 am to 1 pm).
A natural at engaging with others in person, Jensen likes to think, people need information, and he is trying to meet that need. He feels he gets to know a wider cross-section of neighbors by coming to the cafe weekly as "the tech guy." Due to his reliable and relaxed presence, he has been able to help a segment of people who are not normally able to get tech help because they don't have the resources or they just get nervous asking for help. When asked about an example of a time he felt he made an impact, Jensen described a time when he was able to help someone get their voting information ensuring they could vote in the upcoming election. It was clear that an impact had been made on him just as much.
In true 12 Baskets style, we HAD to ask Jensen about his favorite food, "what's coming to mind is mom's mac and cheese." Thank you so much to Jensen for all he has and will do for our community. We can't do what we do without people like you.