Ms. Brenda Gales spent decades teaching kindergartners how to learn. In retirement, she found that she was now the learner as the digital world continuously moves ahead. Laptops, unfamiliar interfaces, complex software: she manages her iPhone well, but other technologies started feeling out of reach. When a former classmate from high school told her about the Connected Learning digital literacy workshops offered by Canopy Children’s Solutions in collaboration with Digitunity and AT&T, Ms. Gales didn’t hesitate to sign up.
Rediscovering Confidence
Walking into the digital skills workshops held at Canopy Children’s Solutions, Ms. Gales learned about more than just technology; she found a community. Though she admits she prefers the click of a physical mouse over modern trackpads, (“I work fast,” she says), learning updated technology went smoother than expected. The workshops helped her connect her existing skills with new tools.
Her learning highlights include:
- Mastering Zoom: As the president of her high school class of 1978, Ms. Gales can now set up and lead virtual meetings for her school’s alumni and keep her social and professional circles connected.
- Creative exploration: She downloads music, organizes photos, and searches recipes to fuel her passion for cooking.
- Staying informed: Her laptop gives her access to national news beyond the local cycle.
- Health management: She prints health records before appointments so her doctors have exactly what they need.
From Participant to "Digital Navigator"
The impact of the program went beyond software and technology. For Ms. Gales, the workshops allow her to participate in community life.
"[The digital skills workshops] give me something to do...to come and meet other people," Ms. Gales shared. "If somebody couldn’t do something, then the next person would help. We were all helping each other."
Her instinct to teach was reignited when Ms. Gales found herself helping younger participants who needed assistance in the workshops. Her enthusiasm was so infectious that the program coordinators and facilitators invited her back, not as a student, but as a volunteer and potential part-time teacher.
When asked how confident she would feel teaching a neighbor what she learned, Ms. Gales’ answer was immediate: “100%.”
Thanks to the laptop she received through the program and the skills she has learned, she is no longer just a retired teacher; she is a “digital navigator” for her community. She is proof that with the right tools and a supportive environment, the spirit of education is a lifelong journey that always has room for a new chapter.
“The environment is real. It’s a great environment.” – Ms. Brenda Gales
This story is part of the 3 Southern States Connected Communities Program, a collaboration between Digitunity and AT&T designed to increase computer ownership and digital skills across Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. In Mississippi, Canopy Children’s Solutions participates in the program by helping residents access refurbished computers, digital skills training, and one-on-one support from trained digital navigators.
Canopy Children’s Solutions provides behavioral health, educational, and family support solutions for children and families. Through this program, Canopy is helping more Mississippi residents use technology for education, employment, health, and daily life.
About Digitunity
Computer ownership is essential for education, employment, healthcare, and full participation in the modern economy. Yet nearly 33 million people in the United States don’t have a computer of their own. Digitunity is a national nonprofit organization building a coordinated system to make computer ownership possible for everyone. By connecting retired technology from businesses and government with trusted community organizations nationwide, we're pursuing a future where everyone has the technology to participate, compete, and prosper.
About Philanthropy at AT&T
At AT&T, our corporate responsibility work is dedicated to bridging the digital divide across the country. We are committed to providing people of all ages and from every community with the essential resources they need to thrive in the digital era. For generations, we have supported programs that impact millions of individuals nationwide, and since 2021, we have committed $5 billion to initiatives that enhance connectivity, promote digital literacy, and improve access to high-speed internet. Our efforts particularly focus on uplifting underserved communities, including students, older adults, and un- or underemployed individuals, ensuring everyone can participate in the digital world and benefit from its opportunities.
