Tech classes benefitting seniors in Luzerne County

WILKES BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— With text and email scams on the rise, a free program in Luzerne County is hoping to help keep seniors safe, and teach them a thing or two about tech.

28/22 News Reporter Amelia Sack explains how this class is helping dozens of local senior citizens.

“There’s a tremendous amount of scamming going on like phishing. People will email you, especially seniors, so you have to be aware of what’s going on,” said Michelle Schasberger, Healthier Communities Coordinator.

Thanks to grant funding from Comcast, the greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA is continuing to offer senior tech help classes, to aid seniors in identifying and protecting themselves from scams.

“It’s a huge part of what we do at senior tech help. We have lots of things to hand out to you lots of things to teach you about that. Digital literacy is really important,” voiced Daniel Irwin, Tutor at Senior Tech Help.

In addition to helping seniors avoid scams, the classes also offer help with using technology.

“The most basic help is just tech help for phones and pcs. Whether that’s you’re wanting to schedule an appointment online, or you’re wanting to figure out how to access your email,” stated Irwin.

Michelle Schasberger, Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA Healthier Communities’ Coordinator, says the idea for the program came from the pandemic, when classes were moved online to different platforms.

“Especially our group exercise classes our Geri fit our strong and balanced,” said Schasberger.

Classes Schasberger says dozens of seniors attended daily.

“Our then wellness director found she was spending so much more time just getting our seniors to use Facebook Live, to use Zoom, that she realized there was this incredible need for senior tech help at the YMCA,” explained Schasberger.

The YMCA says no tech problem is too big or too small for them to take on.

The program does not offer repairs to computers or phones.

Walk-ins or online bookings are accepted and the program typically runs on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays at the YMCA in Wilkes Barre.

You do not need to be a member to attend. To enroll: schedule by phone at 570-970-5012 or online at wvymca.org/seniortech walk-ins are accepted

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