Christiansted, VI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Digital Connections Other

Description: The Coalition launched its Digital Bridge Initiative to help older adults overcome barriers that limited their ability to use devices for essential tasks and social connection. The group trained 11 high school students to serve as instructors, then guided participants through skills such as identifying phishing attempts, using patient portals and applying emergency preparedness tools. Graduates reported "newfound independence," with some sharing that they no longer needed to wait for relatives to complete online banking or health tasks. The program strengthened community ties through radio outreach led in part by a participant and created a structure for continued mentorship. The model is now prompting a second training phase and inspiring at least one graduate to explore launching a similar effort, helping embed digital literacy more firmly into local services.

Florence, KY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Digital Connections Other

Description: Many older adults struggled to manage everyday digital tasks, leaving them vulnerable to scams, missed services and digital disasters. The Development District trained a college student to deliver hands-on digital literacy classes tailored to older adults. Sessions covered online banking, medical portals, scam awareness and managing digital footprints. The model reached more than 100 participants, most age 50 or over, and challenged assumptions about who can teach technology effectively. Participants praised the patient instruction and individual follow-up, saying they felt more confident asking questions and using new skills.