Technology is more than convenience—it’s connection, independence, and safety. Email, online portals, and mobile apps are now the primary way to:

• Communicate with friends and family
• Access health care and receive appointment reminders
• Navigate transportation
• Manage finances and benefits
• Stay informed and engaged

But learning these tools can feel intimidating, especially for those who have been told—implicitly or explicitly—that technology “isn’t for them.”

Through our national Digital Literacy Initiative with AT&T, we are countering that narrative by offering welcoming, low‑pressure workshops that build confidence and skills step by step. We are partnering with 50 community‑based organizations (CBOs) and senior centers older adults already trust to deliver basic workshops—email basics, internet basics, mobile devices, and cyber security. These organizations understand their communities, know the people they serve, and create welcoming spaces where learning feels possible. 

In Dallas, two of our grantees—The Senior Source and Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) Older Adult Services—show how different types of organizations can meet older adults where they are and open the door to digital confidence. Their approaches are distinct, but their impact is shared: older adults feel supported, respected, and empowered to learn.

How two Dallas senior centers are closing the digital divide

The Senior Source: A Trusted Destination for Learning and Support

The Senior Source, a central hub that supports the entire aging journey, has served older adults in Dallas for more than 60 years. Their centralized office is a destination—a place people come to or call when they need support, whether it’s financial coaching, caregiver resources, long‑term care advocacy, or technology help.

Their services span the full aging journey:

• Benefits access and financial empowerment
• Caregiver support and navigation
• Long‑term care ombudsman services for residents in nursing homes and assisted living
• Senior AmeriCorps programs that engage older adults in meaningful volunteer service
• Employment and volunteer opportunities
• A dedicated technology learning center for structured digital literacy workshops

Because The Senior Source supports older adults across so many aspects of life, participants arrive with trust already established. They know they will be met by staff and volunteers who are patient, knowledgeable, and ready to help them build skills that support their independence.

DCHHS Older Adult Services: A Countywide Network Reaching Deep into Communities 

Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) provides a broad range of supports for older adults—including senior centers.

Their Older Adult Services division offers:

• Congregate meals and nutrition programs
• Transportation assistance
• Case management and benefits navigation
• In‑home support services
• Health and wellness programming
• Social connection and community engagement activities

Their 18 senior activity centers are the heart of this work. These centers are deeply embedded in neighborhoods—places where older adults come every day for meals, social connection, and support. Many are single room spaces or borrowed rooms in recreation centers, churches, or community buildings.

What they lack in dedicated technology infrastructure, they make up for in:

• Long‑standing relationships with participants
• Cultural and linguistic familiarity
• A welcoming, informal environment
• Daily opportunities to weave digital literacy into real life

Digital learning happens naturally here. Workshops happen in the same rooms where people participate in activities and gather for lunch, making learning feel like a natural part of the day.

More pathways to digital confidence

The Senior Source and DCHHS demonstrate that:

• There is no single “right” way to deliver digital literacy
• Different models reach different learners
• A diverse CBO network creates more entry points for older adults
• Trust, familiarity, and cultural relevance matter as much as equipment

Some older adults prefer a structured learning center. Others thrive in a familiar neighborhood space. Dallas shows that when both options exist, more people get the support they need.

A flexible approach to building digital confidence

All workshops follow a structured curriculum developed by AT&T in collaboration with the Public Library Association. But the delivery is shaped by the people in the room. Participants bring real questions, real devices, and real goals, and instructors adapt in the moment. 

A few examples from recent classes:

• A woman in an Email Basics class wanted to learn how to use Face ID on her iPhone. After the workshop, a volunteer sat with her one‑on‑one and helped her set it up safely.
• In a class offered in English, Viviana C, a volunteer from AT&T, provided real‑time Spanish translation so a participant could follow along and ask questions comfortably.
• Participants often bring specific issues—a confusing notification, a locked account, a new phone—and these are addressed after class or during regularly scheduled office hours, where volunteers provide individualized support.

This blend of structure and flexibility and a person-centered approach ensure older adults leave each session with both new skills and solutions to the real challenges they walked in with.

Stories From Dallas: What digital confidence looks like in practice

Sonny’s Story, From Intimidated to Independent:

It gave me confidence to do things I couldn’t do before.”

After an Email Basics workshop at Senior Source, I spoke with Sonny, who has been attending digital literacy classes since 2023. When he first arrived, he said “didn’t know much, nothing” about computers and used to feel intimidated by technology.

Over time, he’s taken nearly every class that interested him—iPhone, Android, iPad, and essential skills. He shared that creating his Gmail account and learning how to use email has opened his world. He now emails friends, communicates with his doctor, and stays connected with family and friends in Nigeria.

Sonny told me that technology has made his life “much easier” and given him confidence to do things he couldn’t do before—ordering food online, navigating with Google Maps, and handling everyday tasks independently.

What stood out most was how grateful he is for the program. He said coming here in his 60s was “the best thing that happened to me,” and he described the staff as friendly, patient, and always willing to go above and beyond. He encourages his friends to come learn too, because he now feels comfortable using technology both at home and at work.

Participant Story, Finding Confidence in a Trusted Learning Environment:

This is a trusted place where I feel safe and supported.”

After an Email Basics workshop at Senior Source, I spoke with a participant who shared how challenging technology had felt for her, even though she has a good phone and uses it every day. She said she had always been skeptical about whether she could learn to use it safely—especially when it came to protecting her personal information.

She first learned about the Senior Source classes through someone she met at a college, and she decided to give them a try. From that first visit, she said she felt relieved and encouraged. She has been coming ever since, taking every class she can to “catch up with technology,” because she relies on it for essential tasks like paying bills, shopping, and making appointments.

A major turning point for her was learning how to use her phone with more confidence and understanding the safety side of technology. She said that part had always scared her, but the classes helped her feel more in control.

She also shared a difficult experience she had with her mortgage company — a situation that caused months of stress, anxiety, and confusion. She came to Senior Source for help, and staff were able to work with her to sort out the issue. She said that even as an accountant, she couldn’t get the company to take responsibility, but she trusted the team here and finally felt supported. 

What stood out most was how much she values this place not just for the classes, but for the people. She told me she feels safe here, she learns something every time, and she enjoys meeting others. For her, this is a trusted space where she can keep building skills, stay informed, and feel more confident navigating her daily life. 

Looking ahead: What's possible when older adults have the right support

The digital divide is not inevitable. With the right support, older adults can, and do, thrive in a digital world. The stories coming out of Dallas show what’s possible when we invest in trusted community partners, create welcoming learning environments, and honor the strengths and experiences of older adults. 

Photos taken at Senior Source and West Dallas Senior Center by Dianne Stone