Local High School Students Partner with Pasadena Organizations to Provide Tech Support for Seniors

As part of their campaign to enhance digital literacy and foster intergenerational connections, ATM (Ayuda Técnica para Mayores), a local organization founded by high school students, is teaming up with Pasadena Village and Pilgrim Tower North to host a tech support event on Saturday, Feb. 24, at Pilgrim Tower North located at 560 E. Villa Street in Pasadena.

The event, slated to run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will provide bilingual tech assistance to seniors while also donating computers to low-income older adults. These computers will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Katie Brandon, Executive Director of Pasadena Village, said the collaboration underscores a shared commitment to empower older adults and share with them the skills and resources needed so they could easily navigate the digital landscape.

“We’ve been partnering with the ATM volunteers for over a year now,” Brandon said. “They’re a group of amazing students who want to provide free technical assistance to older adults, especially Spanish-speaking older adults. It was a natural partnership when they reached out to Pasadena Village. We’re so happy to have the next one at Pilgrim Towers North, which is a new partner for the village.”

Student volunteers who are equipped with both computer science and bilingual communication skills will lead tutorials on computer usage and troubleshooting sessions. Older adults will receive personalized support for a range of devices, including laptops, smartphones, and iPhones.

“The students themselves came up with the idea of offering free IT help,” Brandon added. “After having two or three of these IT cafes at different times of the year in different locations, they said they have some gently used computers and were prepared to donate them to lower-income older adults.”

Brandon said technology has helped promote connectivity and access to resources and combat social isolation among older adults.

“All of these things fight isolation,” she said. “They keep our seniors safe from frauds and scams. They keep our older adults connected with other people and with their interests, which makes aging so much better.”

Seniors aged 55 and above are advised to register in advance by calling (626) 765-6037, emailing info@pasadenavillage.org, or visiting https://forms.gle/awnXg9wwguREPuMS7.

Admission is free.