Free tech training helps Detroit seniors master digital skills
MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES — In Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood, the St. Patrick Senior Center has transformed into a beacon of digital empowerment for the city’s older residents.
The center, housed in an 1892 Catholic school building, recently became one of Detroit’s certified tech hubs, offering free internet access and digital literacy training to seniors struggling with today’s technology-driven world.
Breaking down age and tech barriers
For 72-year-old Deborah Miller, the journey into digital literacy began with a moment of panic when she accidentally deleted precious family photos from her smartphone.
“Oh Lord, I was in a panic,” Miller recalled. “I didn’t know what to do.”
Thanks to training received at St. Patrick’s, she successfully recovered her cherished memories.
The center serves 3,200 seniors annually, with 80% being Detroit residents.
SaTrice Coleman-Betts, the center’s executive director of 21 years, emphasizes the growing necessity of tech skills: “Seniors need technology to help them be more independent, to be socialized and engaged.”
Innovation meets senior needs
The center’s approach to teaching technology is uniquely tailored to seniors’ needs. Peer digital navigators, themselves older adults, provide one-on-one assistance, creating a comfortable learning environment.
Deborah Bunkley, a 70-year-old retiree turned digital navigator, exemplifies the program’s success. Once terrified of basic computer tasks, she now leads digital literacy workshops and serves as the communications coordinator for the League of Women Voters of Detroit.
The center offers practical training in essential digital skills, from online banking to telehealth appointments. Computer lab manager Melinda Modzel, 24, teaches everything from password creation to internet safety, helping seniors navigate potential scams and “quishing” attacks or new phishing attacks involving QR codes.
The impact extends beyond basic computer skills. The center has streamlined its food pantry operations by teaching seniors to use smartphones for check-in, significantly reducing wait times. They’re even preparing to introduce virtual reality experiences through Oculus Rift headsets.
As one in eight retirees prepare to return to the workforce this year, these digital skills become increasingly crucial. The program not only helps seniors maintain independence but also combats ageism in the hiring process, addressing challenges posed by rising living costs and the desire to remain active in society.
