When Maria Urzua joined digitalLIFT in February, she quickly stepped into a role that would become much more than teaching technology. By March, she was already leading classes in the East Bay and providing drop-in tech support at an SF Connected Tech Lab in San Francisco.
Every Friday, Maria travels to Centro Latino De San Francisco to support older adults with their technology questions. But when she first arrived, hardly anyone approached her for help.
Instead of waiting, Maria walked from table to table during lunch, introducing herself to seniors and letting them know she was there to help with their technology questions. She soon realized that many older adults hesitated to ask for assistance. In many cultures, seniors do not want to “bother” others or feel like a burden. Some even feel they do not deserve help.
But Maria patiently kept showing up.
Little by little, learners began opening up. They brought questions about downloading apps, creating accounts, filling out forms, and navigating their phones. Some seniors shared that it was difficult to get help from their grandchildren because the phones were set to Spanish, making communication and troubleshooting harder.
Maria’s persistence and kindness made a difference. Learners started returning week after week, not only for technical support but also for the encouragement and connection they found in class.
She told us, “One of the most rewarding moments is when learners tell me, ‘I’m loving this class, I am learning something.’”
For many participants, the classes are about more than technology. They are about building confidence by proving to themselves that they can still learn new things. Over time, the sessions have also become a place of social connection. As learners got to know Maria, they began sharing their life stories and building relationships with one another.
Maria says she truly enjoys her work and appreciates being able to help learners in so many different ways.
At digitalLIFT, stories like Maria’s remind us that digital inclusion is not just about devices or internet access. It is about trust, patience, dignity, and human connection.
Comments are closed.