Home Connect Participants Archives - Community Tech Network

Xiurong Li: Gaining Confidence & Self-Sufficiency through Digital Literacy

jess — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 13:58:43 +0000

Xiurong Li learned digital skills by participating in Community Tech Network’s Home Connect program and says the program has positively impacted her life. Prior to learning with CTN, Xiurong often turned to her children for help with technology. However, she now feels much more confident and self-sufficient with her digital literacy skills. “I didn’t know much about the features on electronic devices, but the instructor taught me a lot,” Xiurong said. “For example, I learned what software is, how to take screenshots, how to download applications, and how to set up an email account.” Xiurong also discovered that technology could simplify her life. Living in a busy city like San Francisco, she especially appreciates the app Nextbus, which she uses to check bus schedules. Although she is growing more comfortable with technology, Xiurong says that she is still eager to learn more. “I have questions about accessing my hospital’s web page, and I am going to ask that during my next session.” While her 1:1 classes were extremely helpful, Xiurong also enjoys attending the group Q&A sessions that CTN hosts. She says that she likes the social aspect because she can make friends who are also learning more about technology, […]

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Chinese Immigrant Learns English Online After Digital Skills Classes with Community Tech Network

jess — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 14:53:46 +0000

Qing Li Yang is from Taishan, China. As an older adult and immigrant, Qing Li has faced many language and cultural barriers while living in the United States. Fortunately, after learning digital skills through Community Tech Network’s Home Connect program, she discovered the positive impact that technology could have on her life. “I am really grateful for CTN. I feel confident going online now, and I help other seniors use their devices,” she says. WeChat and YouTube are the two platforms that Qing Li uses the most. She connects with her family and friends through WeChat and is learning English through YouTube videos. “I find these videos really helpful. I really enjoy learning this way. Before, I could only say ‘Hello’ when I went out on the streets, but now I can have basic conversations in English with people,” Qing Li says happily. She adds, “I live in senior housing, and the front desk staff do not speak Chinese. I really wanted to thank them for their service to us, but I couldn’t find ways to do that. Now that I’ve learned some English from YouTube, I can chat with them, and I feel closer to these nice people.” With […]

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Learning Digital Skills with CTN to Better Serve Her Community: Theresa Wallace’s Story

jess — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 13:41:03 +0000

Theresa Wallace decided to learn digital skills with Community Tech Network (CTN) in order “to more efficiently and effectively serve [her] community.” “During the pandemic, I wanted to be able to communicate, but I couldn’t do it in person. I realized that I needed digital literacy to learn to do things like navigate Zoom and send emails,” she says. As an activist, Theresa is in the process of creating her own nonprofit, which will provide mental and behavioral health services to families after they suffer the tragic loss of a loved one. Theresa is in talks with San Francisco General Hospital to ensure that families receive the initial help that they need within 72 hours. Theresa is also working with her local church, which will offer further integrative medicines, such as massages, acupuncture, chiropractic, music, and color therapies to families. “As the chief operations officer of my own organization, I need to oversee the work of others. In order to do so, I need to understand technology so that I understand what my employees are doing. I also want to be able to use tools like Microsoft Word and spreadsheets to maintain records and perform other tasks. Learning with CTN […]

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Learner Spotlight: Anna Chou

Anna Beth Lane — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 13:58:56 +0000

“This is just a marvelous program; that’s all I can say. It is so helpful and just super!” says Home Connect learner Anna Chou. A native of San Francisco, Anna Chou spent years working in the medical field as a nurse. When her workplace became increasingly digitized over the past decade, it proved to be a difficult transition. She had always been accustomed to the analog world — writing quickly, filling out charts, and maintaining paperwork. Suddenly, reports had to be typed up. Data had to be entered on the computer. Records had to transition to online formats. Without any formal training at work or home on a computer, Anna felt overwhelmed. “At first, I thought, how do I turn it on? How do I turn it off? Everyone was looking at me like I was dumb. I was not dumb. I had not used a computer for at least seven years. So I remember feeling really embarrassed, kind of small.” Anna had always been passionate about helping patients, but all the extra time on the computer led to burnout and frustration. She would often stay up late and work after hours to keep on top of things. “It was […]

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Learner Spotlight: Xiuzhen Xu

Anna Beth Lane — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 14:16:54 +0000

A native of China, Xiuzhen Xu immigrated to the United States in 2003. For several years, she worked as a kindergarten teacher in San Francisco. Now retired, Mrs. Xu wants to remain curious and connected in her later years. After hearing about CTN’s Home Connect program through a friend at church, Mrs. Xu began her first lessons in July. She worked with bilingual digital instructor Tom Yang, who has been especially helpful in her training: “Mr. Yang knows how Chinese people think and has been very patient with me. Mr. Yang also is able to explain things in both Chinese and English. I am very lucky to have Mr. Yang as the teacher.” With Tom’s help, Mrs. Xu became more comfortable using her tablet independently and started exploring all the benefits of life online. Some of her favorite activities include reading Chinese community news, watching YouTube, and emailing her daughter and friends. As Mrs. Xu’s initial Home Connect lessons come to an end, she is excited to continue using her tablet and using her digital skills. “I am still practicing and learning every day,” she says. “Now I have something to do on a daily basis. I have become more […]

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Home Connect Reaching Russian-Speaking Learners

Josie Boyle — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 13:08:44 +0000

CTN recently started working with a new group of Russian-speaking residents at San Francisco’s Eastern Parks Apartments. Although the group has been attending Home Connect classes from home, we recently gathered all the learners for a photo shoot. It was wonderful to see a virtual community come together in person, and we are hopeful that we can return to in-person instruction in the coming months. The majority of these learners immigrated to the U.S. around 30 years ago — hailing from Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Odesa, Ukraine. Before joining the Home Connect program, they had little experience using technology. Most of them were new to any form of touch-screen technology and have never used a smartphone. Those who had access to the internet had been limited to using YouTube to watch programs and news in Russian. Today, the learners are using their tablets in all sorts of ways. For many, the priority has been finding ways to connect with friends and family around the world, mainly via Skype and Facebook. Others have started using email to send and receive pictures from family members. I also introduced a couple of them to Duolingo to work on improving their English. All of […]

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Learner Spotlight: Luis Mascarenhas

Stephen Minor — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 13:42:12 +0000

A native of India, Home Connect participant Luis Mascarenhas has lived in San Francisco for the past 15 years. He currently works for a vaccination clinic and spends his extra free time volunteering. Although Luis had regularly visited computer labs before the pandemic, he soon found himself stuck at home without connectivity. When someone at the Downtown Senior Center told him about our Home Connect program, Luis was eager to join. Luis now uses his tablet with ease after completing the home connect curriculum. He was initially hesitant about the new technology but felt encouraged by the patience and resourcefulness of his digital coach, Lauren. “It was like a student-teacher relationship,” says Luis. “She was there every move guiding me through the process and gave me the confidence to move forward. She gave me pointers on how to stay safe on the internet, showed me how to use the Google Calendar, and even filed technical complaints on my behalf.” The internet has prompted a shift in Luis’s daily life. He uses his device to listen to music, audiobooks, and religious services. He was able to update his resume and apply for jobs. He has assisted others in getting registered online […]

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Learner Spotlight: Maria Del Rocio Vacas

Maria Vazquez — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 14:35:54 +0000

A native of Ecuador, Maria Del Rocio Vacas has spent her life caring for those around her. She has worked as a nurse, looked after her sick mother, and cared for her husband when he contracted Parkinson’s disease. After her husband passed away seven years ago, Maria knew it was time to take care of her own needs. While taking English and citizenship classes to become a U.S. citizen, Maria discovered SF’s Centro Latino program. In “normal” times, Centro Latino offers programming to Spanish-speaking older adults and people with disabilities. Unfortunately, when the pandemic halted in-person classes, Maria could no longer participate. When Maria was referred to CTN’s Home Connect program, she was initially unsure if it was right for her. She had never used a tablet or computer before. The idea of technology was intimidating and unfamiliar. Her confidence was renewed when she learned that the program would provide both the device and training on how to use it. Maria applied for the program and can now navigate the internet comfortably and safely! Maria’s digital coach, Carlos Sivira, taught her how to use Gmail, Zoom, YouTube, and other popular apps. She also learned how to use the tablet to […]

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Learner Spotlight: Baofei Miao

Sabrina Tam — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 13:47:42 +0000

Baofei Miao arrived in the Bay Area 30 years ago from China with her husband and their children. She worked with the Chinese postal service and in the telecommunications industry before moving to California. After their arrival here, she worked on an assembly line in a factory, retiring about 16 years ago to her dream job of providing childcare to her grandchildren. Baofei has been an active Sequoia Living member for many years, regularly attending a variety of exercise classes prior to the pandemic. Sequoia Living first alerted her to CTN’s Home Connect program. Baofei had taken computer classes at the library several years ago and has an iPad and a smartphone, both of which are obsolete hand-me-downs. Some of the apps on these devices no longer work and cannot be updated. This situation is common with many older adults who receive devices when younger-generation family members upgrade. While the gifts are well-meaning and appreciated, older adults are likely to receive dated, unfamiliar devices that have been configured with the preferences of their previous users. Additionally, they may receive incomplete and inconsistent “instructions.” All of these are barriers to learning and using these devices successfully. The Lenovo tablet Baofei received […]

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Learner Spotlight: David Turner from CEI’s iPad Training

Sabrina Tam — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 22:50:30 +0000

Photo: CTN learner David Turner and his wife Susan on CEI’s iPad Graduation Day. David Turner became a member of the Center for Elders’ Independence (CEI) 16 years ago after a series of medical challenges left him disabled and unable to return to work. He was referred to CEI through his disability assistance program, began receiving medical services through their medical offerings, and has been a faithful member ever since. David, born in Berkeley, grew up in southern California and returned to the Bay Area in 1979 to care for his grandparents. He worked for years in the termite control business as both a carpenter and a chemical applicator technician. He met his wife in the laundry room of their apartment building — actually, their cats met first and “broke the ice.” He learned about CTN’s iPad basic training series through CEI. Given the opportunity to participate, he quickly signed up. He was apprehensive as the first training sessions approached, concerned that his disability from a stroke would be difficult to overcome. Since his technology skills were very limited, he asked his wife if she would assist him during class since she had a bit more experience. Both CEI and […]

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