Building digital confidence and community in Abilene, Texas
Abilene, Texas (August 21, 2026) - On July 22 and 23, community members gathered at Tylor Grand Apartments in Abilene, Texas, for two days of hands-on digital literacy training made possible through a partnership with Rainbow Housing and Connected Nation (CN). More than just a technology class, the event created an opportunity for neighbors to learn together, build self-confidence, and strengthen connections within their community.
Throughout the two-day workshop, participants explored essential technology skills, including internet basics, cybersecurity awareness, online safety, and everyday digital tools that help people stay connected and independent.
Whether attendees were learning something completely new or refreshing skills they hadn't used in years, everyone left with greater confidence and practical knowledge they could immediately apply in their daily lives.
One of the most significant outcomes of the classes was the sense of community they fostered. Participants encouraged one another, shared personal experiences, and celebrated each other's successes as they practiced new skills.
The smaller class size allowed for individualized attention, giving everyone the chance to ask questions, receive hands-on support, and build meaningful relationships with their neighbors. By the end of the workshops, technology had become more than just the topic of discussion — it had become a way to bring people together.
An overwhelmingly positive experience
One participant who truly exemplified the impact of these classes is Donna Monroe. Donna played an important role in bringing this opportunity to Tylor Grand Apartments. Before the classes were ever scheduled, she took the initiative to go door-to-door throughout the community, spreading the word, talking with her neighbors, and gathering signatures to demonstrate the community's interest in technology education.
Her dedication helped make these workshops possible, reflecting her commitment to creating learning opportunities for those around her. Donna also graciously agreed to share her experience in hopes that her story will help bring future classes back to her community.
Donna shared that the classes helped her rebuild confidence in her technology skills while learning important new ones. She said the cybersecurity lessons made the biggest impression, helping her understand that online scams and fraud are real and providing practical strategies to better protect herself online. After previously experiencing fraudulent charges on one of her accounts, she now feels much more aware of how to recognize potential threats and navigate the internet more safely.
The workshops also reminded Donna of skills she had developed throughout her career but hadn't used in quite some time. Through the hands-on activities and guided practice, she rediscovered that much of that knowledge was still there. It simply needed to be refreshed. That realization renewed her belief in her ability to continue learning and using technology.
For Donna, those skills have become even more meaningful because of changes in her daily life. After her vehicle broke down, she was unable to afford the repairs, making transportation a significant challenge. As a result, technology has become an essential tool for maintaining her independence.
She relies on it to pay bills, order groceries and supplements, access important information, and complete everyday tasks that might otherwise require traveling across town. Being able to comfortably navigate online services has helped her remain self-sufficient despite the transportation barriers she faces.
A passion for family history
Donna also has a deep passion for researching her family's genealogy. While the classes refreshed her internet skills, including learning how to effectively use multiple browser tabs, she is currently unable to continue much of her ancestry research because she does not have access to a laptop. She hopes her circumstances will change so she can once again pursue this meaningful work.
For Donna, genealogy is about far more than building a family tree. Technology has allowed her to connect not only with the family she knows today, but also with generations who came before her. Through online research, she has discovered her family's lineage, learned their stories, and gained a greater appreciation for the legacy and footprint they left in the world. She looks forward to the day when she can continue uncovering those stories and preserving them for future generations.
A lasting impact
Donna's story is a reminder that digital literacy is about much more than learning how to use a computer. It's about building confidence, maintaining independence, overcoming everyday challenges, staying connected with loved ones, and feeling empowered to navigate an increasingly digital world. It also highlights how access to both digital skills and the right technology can open doors to lifelong learning, personal passions, and a deeper understanding of who we are.
The partnership between Rainbow Housing and CN’s technology training team demonstrates the lasting impact that accessible digital literacy programs can have within affordable housing communities. Every participant left with new skills, greater confidence, and the reassurance that they can continue to learn and grow with technology.
As Donna hopes, these workshops are only the beginning. With continued community support and partnerships like this one, future classes in Abilene can provide even more residents with the opportunity to gain valuable digital skills, strengthen neighborly connections, and embrace the technology that has become such an important part of everyday life.
To learn more about how you can be involved with these workshops like Donna, visit https://connectednation.org/programs/digital-skills-training.