Digitallift

06/04/2026

Building Digital Independence: How Sourcewise Created a Sustainable Tech Program for Older Adults — When the COVID-19 pandemic pushed everyday life online, many older adults were suddenly cut off from essential services, healthcare, and even their own families. For Sourcewise, the Area Agency on Aging serving Santa Clara County, the crisis made one thing impossible to ignore: digital connection had become essential to aging with dignity and independence.

But unlike many organizations that treated digital inclusion as a temporary emergency response, Sourcewise saw it as core to their mission.

That shift did not happen overnight. It was built through years of partnership, experimentation, and learning together.

If your organization is ready to move from intention to implementation, digitalLIFT can help. Work with us to explore partnership opportunities and start building a more connected, equitable community. https://forms.monday.com/forms/embed/8b0d2f6266130d6f4f44a034989e610d?r=use1

Read full article: https://digitallift.org/building-digital-independence-how-sourcewise-created-a-sustainable-tech-program-for-older-adults/

05/28/2026

A Mindful Approach to Engaging with Social Media—For many of the learners we support, getting online is a powerful milestone. But digital inclusion is not just about helping people connect to the internet. It is also about helping them develop healthy, informed, and responsible relationships with technology once they are online.

That is why conversations about social media use, misinformation, and digital well-being are becoming more important to digital literacy work.

The impact of social media on mental health is now difficult to ignore, especially for younger users.

This conversation feels especially important during Mental Health Awareness Month. Resources from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) emphasize that mental health is part of everyday life and that early support, compassionate conversations, and stronger community awareness can make a meaningful difference, especially for children and young adults.

A mindful approach to social media does not mean avoiding technology or disconnecting entirely. It means engaging with digital spaces intentionally rather than automatically.

Sometimes referred to as “mindful scrolling,” this approach encourages users to stay aware of why they are online, how long they are spending there, and how content is affecting them emotionally.

Read full article: https://digitallift.org/a-mindful-approach-to-engaging-with-social-media/

05/27/2026

When I started my career in the mid-1990s, learning a new computer program at work meant something very specific: I was sent to training. Today, that model has largely disappeared.

The Hidden Gap in Today’s Learning Models
Online learning assumes a level of independence that many adult learners don’t actually have—especially when it comes to digital skills.

Without support, learners often:
• Quit partway through modules
• Avoid asking for help
• Miss foundational concepts
• Struggle silently until frustration builds

This isn’t a motivation problem. It’s a design problem. We built systems that are efficient for organizations, but not always effective for learners who need structure, encouragement, and hands-on practice. Over time, that gap shows up in the workforce: people who are expected to use digital tools but were never truly supported in learning how.

We need to intentionally rebuild what made that model effective while embracing the tools we now have. That means . . .

Read full story: https://digitallift.org/rebuilding-effective-training-for-the-modern-workforce/

05/26/2026

From Pandemic Response to Long-Term Connection: How Tech Advice Sessions Continue to Support Older Adults—When digitalLIFT launched virtual digital literacy training during the pandemic, the immediate goal was simple: help older adults stay connected during a time of deep isolation. What we have learned since then is that digital inclusion is not a one-time intervention. It is an ongoing relationship built on trust, community, and continued support.

That is exactly what our Tech Advice Sessions have become.

“At the beginning, I didn’t even know how to use a keyboard,” one learner shared. “Now I’m learning to use AI to help solve everyday problems.”

Another participant explained how digital skills opened the door to continued learning and social engagement: “After learning how to use Zoom, I can now join different online classes remotely and continue learning new knowledge.”

If your organization serves older adults and is looking to strengthen or expand your digital inclusion efforts, digitalLIFT can help.

Read full article: https://digitallift.org/from-pandemic-response-to-long-term-connection-how-tech-advice-sessions-continue-to-support-older-adults/

05/21/2026

Board Spotlight: Susan Walters: At digitalLIFT, our board members bring a deep commitment to equity, along with decades of experience shaping the systems that connect communities. This month, we are proud to spotlight Susan Walters, a member of our Nominations and Governance Committee, whose career has focused on using technology and public policy to expand access to essential services and create more opportunities for underserved communities.

Finding Her “Why”—Susan was drawn to digitalLIFT because of its clear commitment to closing the digital divide, particularly for communities that are often hardest to reach. As a growing organization with a strong track record of impact, digitalLIFT stood out as a place where she could continue advancing work she has championed throughout her career.

“Inclusion is important to me. Designing programs and policies so everyone is encouraged to make a positive contribution that they choose,” she says. “Progress is made by building people up, not tearing them down.”

Read full article: https://digitallift.org/board-spotlight-susan-walters/

05/14/2026

digitalLIFT is expanding its digital literacy and Digital Navigator training initiatives across the 26-county Texas Panhandle, with a focus on strengthening capacity in communities that face persistent barriers to digital access and skills.

In Texas, digitalLIFT partners with more than 50 agencies across 74 rural and underserved counties in collaboration with Methodist Healthcare Ministries. Through 2026, this partnership is supporting outreach, coordination, and community engagement, creating a strong foundation for expanding services into the Texas Panhandle.

To meet this need, digitalLIFT delivers virtual Digital Navigator training to staff and volunteers at nonprofits, libraries, schools, and service organizations across the region. This flexible training model allows even the most remote organizations to participate without travel costs or staffing disruptions.

Read full article: https://digitallift.org/expanding-digital-literacy-and-digital-navigator-training-in-the-texas-panhandle/

05/13/2026

3 of Our Most Popular Workshops Are Now Available in Spanish!
digitalLIFT’s mission is to bring digital confidence and skills to everyone. Our workshops allow you to launch high-impact digital literacy classes in under an hour—no curriculum creation required.

Following the release of 21 ready-to-teach workshops in English, you now have access to three of our most popular workshops in Spanish: Generative AI, Spreadsheets, and Smartphone Fundamentals.

Each workshop contains an instructor slide deck, lesson plan, and printable learner handouts. Now you can run a digital skills class NEXT WEEK—without creating anything. Extend your community or organizational capacity by offering these popular 1-hour workshops to the Spanish-speaking population in your area, and discover what a difference it can make in so many lives!

View & Purchase Workshop Curricula Today: https://digitallift.org/workshops/

05/07/2026

Join digitalLIFT for SF Tech Week, May 13–16. Explore free beginner-friendly digitalLIFT sessions designed to build confidence with social media, smartphones, and generative AI. Mark your calendars and register today!

Wednesday, May 13
• Accessible Social Media: An Inclusive Approach, 11 am-12 pm, Zoom: https://sfpl-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yQjXmSIHS1KXTGWIiZe3xw #/registration
• Introduction to Generative AI in Spanish (5–6:30 pm, SF Main Library)
Pre-inscribirse: https://forms.gle/hAiBUaSCFrUGvUMq6

Thursday, May 14
• Smartphone Fundamentals (2-3:30pm, Ingleside Branch Library)
Pre-register: https://forms.gle/K8aGCSp9CzsYvYKy7

Saturday, May 16
• Generative AI in Cantonese (11am-12:30 pm, Zoom: https://sfpl-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yQjXmSIHS1KXTGWIiZe3xw #/registration
• Drop-in Tech Help: One-on-one support in multiple languages (1–5 pm, Excelsior Branch Library). Help is available in English, Español, 中文, Tagalog—no appointment is needed, just stop by!

All programs are free! Zoom sessions are open to anyone, but registration is required.
Check out SFPL SF Tech Week's website: https://sfpl.org/locations/main-library/bridge-main-5th-floor/sf-tech-week

05/05/2026

Mental Health Awareness Month—
“We are excited about having access to quality training for people with lived experience of mental health concerns. I just finished a meeting where one of the participants shared that his lack of computer skills keep him from moving forward at work and that it is becoming a hindrance in his recovery. Your work is making it possible for people to even consider entering the workforce. Thank you for making this possible.”
—Anna Gray, Executive Director, Prosumers International

05/01/2026

3 Quick Tips for World Password Day:
Many people reuse the same password—but that can put your accounts at risk. Try this instead:
• Use a different password for important accounts (like email & banking)
• Create a passphrase using a few words you’ll remember (not an obvious phrase, but a collection of random words, e.g., "cactusbowlwallpapercheese"): It's secure because it's so long, but easier to remember than a password like "Xon5?mI$"
• Keep track in a notebook (keep it private!) or a password manager

You’ve got this—online safety doesn’t have to be complicated 🔐

If you want to learn more about staying safe online, take advantage of our FREE Internet Safety curriculum: https://lift.thinkific.com/courses/internet-safety

This curriculum covers basic internet risks and practical tips to stay safe online.