Youth Teaching Tech to Seniors Fosters Generational Connections

A startup in Albuquerque, N.M., is dedicated to matching tech-savvy young people with seniors to cultivate intergenerational links, reports National Public Radio . Teeniors has them coach older adults on using smartphones, computers, and tablets, while also fostering patience and listening skills. The program has served more than 3,000 seniors in New Mexico, and two years ago it added a nonprofit branch. Teeniors also has won grants from Comcast and Facebook to serve those who cannot afford to pay, with its overall goal of empowering senior citizens with technology. "The intergenerational learning experience is really remarkable and that's why I always say the main service we provide is not tech support," says Teeniors founder Trish Lopez. "It is human connection." The program not only helps teenage recruits learn tech skills, but also soft skills valued by employers, like emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and communication.