A need we can’t overlook: Why Digital Skills Training is changing lives in communities like Troup County, Georgia

LaGrange, Ga. (May 21, 2025) – We talk a lot about broadband access — including fiber, affordability, and speed — but there's another piece of the puzzle that’s just as critical: the ability to actually use the technology once it's available. That’s where Connected Nation’s Digital Skills Training (DST) comes in.

If you need proof that this work matters, look no further than The Active Life senior center in Troup County, Ga.

Over the course of two separate DST workshops, The Active Life welcomed dozens of older adults into a learning environment that was empowering, practical, and personal. These weren’t tech bootcamps or generic tutorials. These were carefully crafted classes designed for everyday people who simply want to keep up with the world around them.

So, what made these workshops so impactful? Let's break it down.

A community that recognized the need

Dan Wooten, who has served as Director of The Active Life for over two decades, has long understood that technology is no longer optional.

“We live in a society now where it’s really not a choice,” he said. “If seniors can’t access the internet, they’re at a disadvantage in our community.”

That need became especially clear when the center’s long-standing volunteer computer instructor could no longer teach regular classes. That’s when Connected Nation (CN) stepped in — with laptops, experienced trainers, and a flexible curriculum that fit seamlessly into the center’s operations.

Technology with a human touch

What set these workshops apart wasn’t just the topics covered — computer basics, mobile device use, internet safety, email, and videoconferencing. It was the tone, approach, and patience of CN’s trainers.

Jessica Maddox, Site Manager at The Active Life, summed it up perfectly:

“After the first workshop, participants didn’t ask if the trainers were coming back, but when. That said it all.”

Unlike other technology classes that might make people feel behind or out of place, CN’s workshops were spaces where seniors felt seen, supported, and capable.

Real confidence, real change

This wasn’t abstract learning — it was real life, made easier. Participants learned how to send email, FaceTime loved ones, avoid scams, and even apply for utility assistance online. That last one hit especially close to home.

“If they miss the online application window, that’s $200 off their utility bill that they lose,” Wooten explained. “And the ones who need that money most are often the ones who don’t have access — or confidence — to use a computer.”

Confidence is the keyword that kept coming up for class participants. Not just technical knowledge, but confidence to try, to explore, and to ask questions. And that makes all the difference.

A ripple effect that’s already spreading

Empowering one group, one center, or one community creates a ripple that reaches far beyond the classroom walls.

Maddox and Wooten didn’t just host one successful workshop — they scheduled another. Then, they told other centers in their 10-county region. Some have already signed up for their own trainings. Others are seriously considering it.

“I’ve already recommended it to other Active Life centers in our county,” Maddox said. “And I shared it at our site manager meeting. This program is a resource our whole region can benefit from.”

The Active Life’s story shows that when we meet people where they are, with patience, purpose, and practical tools, big things happen. CN’s Digital Skills Training is more than a series of workshops. It’s a path toward independence, connection, and a stronger community.

If you're a senior center, library, or community organization wondering whether this program could work for you, take it from Wooten and Maddox:

“Absolutely. Bring it in. It’s not just helpful — it’s essential.”

To learn more about how to host a no-cost Digital Skills Training in your community, visit:

🔗 HERE

Let’s keep the momentum going — because in today’s world, digital literacy isn’t optional. It’s empowerment.