The Connected Senior Program, a growing initiative led by Beacon Broadband and Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative in rural Oregon, is making a real impact by pairing high school seniors with older adults eager to learn more about technology. The program offers classes to help seniors navigate computers, access the internet, and stay connected to loved ones and news in today’s digital world.
Bill Gerski, Vice President of Marketing & Sales at Beacon Broadband, helped successfully launch a similar program in Pennsylvania, where seniors learned to use computers and navigate the internet. When he joined Beacon Broadband, he and Keith Buchhalter, Marketing & Member Services Manager at Coos-Curry EC, worked together to introduce The Connected Senior Program to Curry County—the county with the oldest population in the state.
“We went to the Soroptimist Club of Gold Beach, and I did a presentation about broadband. I brought up the Connected Senior Program and said, ‘I’m looking for a champion,’” Bill recalled. “The club president raised her hand in the back of the room and said, ‘I’m your champion. I want to do this.’”
The Soroptimist Club, known for its community-driven initiatives, proved to be the perfect partner. From there, the program took shape with strong community backing. The Soroptimist Club provided the building, Curry Health helped with funding, and Beacon Broadband and Coos-Curry Electric stepped up with financial support and resources. Calix helped write the curriculum, CoBank provided more funding, and TNT Electronics in Gold Beach donated their time to ensure computers were set up and running for each session.
One of the program’s most powerful success stories is that of State Legislator Court Boice’s 92-year-old mother. After completing the program, she signed up for internet for the first time. “She’s getting installed next week, and she’s thrilled,” Bill shared. “Court called me almost in tears, saying, ‘You have no idea what it meant to get an email from my mother.’”
Each class starts with the basics, like opening a laptop, turning it on, and setting up an email, before moving into more advanced skills like online banking, telehealth, and job applications. As seniors gain confidence, they begin to explore ways technology can enhance their independence and daily lives. Seniors gain essential digital skills and independence, and students benefit from mentorship opportunities.
These cross-generational relationships are at the heart of the initiative. Bill calls it an intergenerational learning experience. “There was this kid and a senior laughing together, and Bill and I were wondering what they were talking about. Turns out, the senior restores classic cars, and the kid was really into mechanics. That’s what this program does, it creates unexpected friendships,” Keith explained.
Beyond the Connected Senior Program, Beacon Broadband and Coos-Curry Electric are working to expand high-speed fiber internet across rural southwest Oregon. For many rural residents, the lack of reliable internet has meant fewer opportunities for education, employment, and healthcare. By bringing fiber broadband to these communities, they’re closing the gap between urban and rural connectivity, ensuring that residents have the same digital opportunities as those in major cities. Property values rise when fiber becomes available, businesses are more likely to invest, and residents gain new opportunities for remote work, education, and healthcare. “Bigger companies were not interested in bringing fiber to these small towns, so residents haven’t had access to reliable services. We stepped in to change that,” Keith said.
As the program grows, it’s expanding to more locations in Oregon, including Brookings, Gold Beach, and Port Orford. Bill and Keith hope to see other cooperatives adopt similar initiatives. “I get calls all the time from electric co-ops and telecom companies asking how they can start a program like this. Every community should do it. Whether you provide internet or not, it’s about helping people,” Bill said. With more communities embracing similar programs, Connected Seniors is proving that digital access is more than just convenience—it’s a gateway to independence and connection. “It’s changing lives,” Keith said. “And we couldn’t be prouder to be part of it.”
