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 As the pandemic released its hold, United Seniors and St. Mary’s Center, a West Oakland Senior Service Provider opened fully to the public. Their partnership to bridge the digital divide for seniors continued to evolve. The WeConnect program donated 20 devices and facilitated 60 lessons.

 

In 2022, USOAC continued to take advantage of the new tech skills their board members gained by hosting most of their advocacy activities, such as legislative meetings and health related webinars online. USOAC board member, Willie Stevens who passed last year, will be remembered for his unyielding advocacy work, as well as his relentless push to help seniors access the Internet through the Digital Literacy Program. A third partner is Computer Technology and Resource Center (CTRC), which donated 24 computers to the We Connect program.

 

In December 2022, CTRC began donating desktops with the Windows operating system, a big change from the Xubuntu system that had been installed on their computers since the agency opened in the ‘70s.

 

 The United Seniors Transportation program was spotlighted in the St. Mary’s Center Peer Support Circle’s Senior Resource Guide. A copy of the Guide is placed on every WeConnect computer. The Guide links seniors to resources recommended by their peers.

 

Download a free copy from www.stmaryscenter.org. A USOAC senior commented on their Peer Support Circle experience: “I appreciate being a part of the Circle, I’ve learned a lot, and got to know seniors who dealt with the same challenges I have.”

To find out more about the WeConnect program, call 510-923-9600 x 233, or email wmeyers@stmaryscenter.org.

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“This program has helped me to get past the fears I had on computers. Until the       We Connect program, I felt isolated from it.”

–Keith

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“We Connect is amazing, because it can connect many people to each other.”

– Judy

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