Kitchener Tech Connects empowers older adults to stay connected during COVID-19

Margot White, a Kitchener resident and older adult - loves being involved in the Kitchener community. From enjoying milestone moments with family, to checking in with her church community, to volunteering with her Scouts group, Margot likes to stay busy and well connected to the people in her life. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, stay-at-home measures and limits on gathering sizes, and recreation activities made staying connected and taking part in activities she loves a challenge. With her sister’s milestone birthday fast-approaching, Margot was determined to mark the special occasion, so she enrolled in Zoom for Beginners, a free online tech-literacy course offered through the City’s Kitchener Tech Connects program, delivered in partnership with volunteers from the Bits and Bytes Computer Club, and aimed at supporting older adults with building their knowledge and technology skills.

“My stress lessens the more I practice with Zoom,” said Margot.  “I can honestly say, the courses offered by the City of Kitchener were a huge helping hand to get me started, and I am extremely grateful for the great teaching and friendly crowd. I’m learning tons.”

With her newfound knowledge and confidence, Margot was able to use Zoom to mark her sister’s milestone birthday, bringing together family members she had not seen for many months. The success of her sister’s birthday party gave Margot the momentum to suggest the online platform as a way to connect with ladies from her church group once a month, and host meetings for the Scouts group she volunteers with three times a week.

“Even with masks, proper physical distancing and other safety protocols, our Scouts group couldn’t meet in-person,” said Margot. “Instead, I’ve been hosting our meetings 3-nights a week online, through Zoom. We even use breakout rooms so the kids can practice skits and then come back together for a virtual campfire. I am so grateful for what I’ve learned.”

Do you know an older adult like Margot, who would benefit from learning how to use technology to stay better connected? The City’s Kitchener Tech Connect program offers a number of free technology courses to support older adults with using iPads, Chromebooks, email, the internet and more. Visit www.kitchener.ca/seniors to learn more about the Kitchener Tech Connects program, as well as other free, at-home programs and other supports available to older adults.