For many seniors advancing technology has a way of leaving them behind. 

From operating a cell phone, receiving emails or finding relevant apps, all these things can pose challenges, leaving many feeling disconnected from the world around them.

However, thanks to the kindness of a group of computer-savvy teenagers, many of these residents at Brookdale Senior Living are learning how to connect with their loved ones through technology.

The idea for the Computer Literacy Education Outreach (CLEO) program began a few years ago when Aaron Smolyar, Christian Laquis, and Derrick Hueniken, all students from Canterbury School in Fort Myers, Fla., were joking about how bad their grandparents were with technology. After the laughter faded, Smolyar had an idea that would turn the conversation into a reality.

A volunteer helps Nancy Kirkpatrick clean out her inbox. Photo by Steve Hartman

The teenagers developed the CLEO program and tried to partner with Brookdale, but not necessarily surprising, their e-mail went unanswered. Undeterred, they went to the center, which is right next to their school, and offered to volunteer their time to show seniors how to connect using technology.

“It’s before we could drive, so we just walked over after school,” Smolyar said.

The CLEO volunteers visit the center once a week, building relationships with the residents while showing them how to use their smartphones. Their patience and helpfulness have made a big impact on the lives of the seniors they serve.

Jonathan Smith, a resident at Brookdale, spoke of his gratitude for the program. “I couldn’t figure out how to text a picture until one of the CLEO kids explained it to me,” he said.

Nancy Kirkpatrick, another resident, had over 122,000 unread emails in her inbox until the CLEO volunteers helped her clear them out.

They are amazing,” she said. “They have been such a blessing to us.”

The CLEO program has six chapters nationwide, with the mission to bridge “the digital divide between generations by empowering senior citizens with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the digital world.” However, the most important gap that has been bridged is the one between the group of teenagers and the elderly citizens.

The CLEO volunteers come once a week to visit the seniors. Photo by Steve Hartman

As the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, the program became even more important as many seniors were left feeling isolated and alone. The CLEO volunteers continued their work, adapting to new safety protocols, and providing a lifeline of connection for the residents of Brookdale.

“The CLEO volunteers are amazing,” said Rebecca Witter, Brookdale’s Clare Bridge program director. “They have a unique ability to relate to the residents, form genuine relationships with them, and teach them how to use technology in ways that enrich their lives.”

The relationships that the CLEO volunteers have formed with the seniors they serve go far beyond the technical skills they impart. As Smolyar put it, “I don’t think we realized how much we were going to learn from the seniors themselves.”

Watch the amazing teenagers below.

Sources: CBS News | UpWorthy | Daily Citizen