Helping Seniors Bridge the Digital Divide

by Russ Alman, Director of Communications

My technology tutoring sessions are booked through the 4th of July at the Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center!

For those of you who don't know my background, I spent over 20 years in the tech industry providing one-on-one, on-site support to Mac users. I shut down that business when we moved to Wenatchee in 2012 so that I could focus on digital marketing.

Russ Alman, Communications Director, as seen in a recent NCW Tech Alliance video for digital navigators.

When I accepted the position as the communications director for the senior center one year ago, it dawned on me that nearly all of my clients from my computer support career were 55 and older. So I decided to put my techie cap back on and start offering one-on-one tutoring to help our members with their smartphones, tablets and laptops. 

I feel strongly that I need to leverage my position at the senior center to help provide digital equity for seniors. Not all seniors are interested in learning about technology, but most realize that they are missing out on important access to communications tools and access to information they need. Quite a few are intimidated, but willing to learn. It's awesome to see your faces light up when you realize that you *can* learn to use these tools!

I am also very concerned that seniors are a prime target of cybercriminals. I make it a priority to help my clients secure their mobile devices, use and manage secure passwords and learn how to recognize potential security threats.

I have a vision to make our senior center a "digital equity hub" for the Wenatchee Valley, not just for seniors, but for anyone who needs help bridging the digital divide. I also believe we can create multigenerational programs that leverage younger digital natives to help educate older generations that are less tech savvy.

I am holding tutoring sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings in 75 minute blocks: 9 - 10:15 a.m. and 10:15 - 11:30 a.m. I can help you (and your spouse) with any type of tech device, including smartphones, tablets, laptops and all of the accessories you might want to connect to them. I even have a smart TV available so that I can demonstrate how streaming channels work, as well as connect your device to the big screen so that it's easier to view as I answer your questions.

These sessions are FREE for senior center members. 

To schedule a session, RSVP online, call me at the senior center, or stop by the front desk.

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