[The following final update was written by the organization and then sent to us for further sharing.]

2025 was a pivotal year for Bridge The Digital Divide (BTDD), marked by growth, innovation, and deeper community impact. With the support of LA2050, we expanded our reach across Los Angeles County, integrated AI literacy into our programming, and scaled both in-person and virtual learning opportunities.

Our work ensures that seniors, youth, and underserved communities have access not only to digital tools but also the confidence and skills to use them. This year, we expanded into new neighborhoods, launched innovative pilots, and served over 2,000 Angelenos through hands-on, intergenerational learning.

TechCycle Refurbishment & Redistribution

Our fall programming centered on TechCycle, our device refurbishment and redistribution initiative. Under the leadership of Fernando, our “IT wizard,” we:

• Installed new operating systems, replaced batteries, tested hardware and software, and revived hundreds of donated machines.
• Distributed 200+ laptops and desktops to students and community members who otherwise lacked access to reliable technology.

TechCycle continues to be a cornerstone program, ensuring that our digital literacy training is not limited by lack of devices. Every refurbished computer represents new opportunities for learning, connecting, and working.

AI Literacy as a Core Curriculum

In the spring, our focus shifted toward AI literacy, both as a productivity tool within BTDD and as an educational offering for the community. With the support of LA2050’s Executive in Residence AI Director, Jen Garcia, we launched:

• Four AI workshops for nonprofit leaders, Digital Navigators, and students.
• Training on prompting best practices, workflow automation, and sensitive data protection.
• Practical sessions showing how AI can scale missions for small nonprofits and improve personal productivity.

Exploring Autonomous Vehicles with Seniors

Transportation remains one of the greatest barriers for seniors in Los Angeles. Our internal survey of 75 seniors revealed that 60% of seniors lack reliable transportation and 40% feel uncomfortable using ride-hailing apps like Uber. To address this gap, we partnered with Waymo to introduce seniors to autonomous vehicles.

• Over 100 seniors participated in test drives and informational workshops.
• The program demystified self-driving cars and showed seniors how they could safely and easily book rides for their mobility needs.

Expansion of Sites & Community Outreach

Throughout the year, we expanded our physical presence across Los Angeles. Thanks to partnerships with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) and its Youth Digital Ambassadors program, we scaled digital literacy services to new communities.

Our 2025 expansion included eight new partner sites: Dream Live Hope, Boyle Heights Conservatory, LA Care Panorama City, Annenberg GenSpace, Roy Campanella Park, Ladera Park, Calvary Baptist, and Zion Hill Baptist.

We also began targeted outreach in Ladera Heights in partnership with LA County’s 2nd District Supervisor, Holly Mitchell’s office. Together, we engaged three churches, a senior center, and a park site to launch tailored digital literacy empowerment programming.

Growing Digital Inclusion Online

Beyond physical sites, we significantly expanded our virtual classes, growing from two to four classes per week. Offerings included:

• Online Safety & Scam Awareness
• AI Literacy Basics
• Navigating the Internet with Purpose (shopping, online learning, canceling subscriptions)
• Telehealth Access & Patient Portals
• Social Media for Communication & Connection

Growing Digital Inclusion-Media

This new program aims to support seniors in their online media inclusion by pairing youth digital media mentors with senior mentees. Seniors will be empowered to broadcast their voices to a wider audience, sharing their crafts, lifestyles, mission-driven work, and passions. For example, George, an 84-year-old journalist, sought Bridge LA’s support for a digital facelift for his online newspaper, as he is passionate about sharing positive news from his community.

Ms. Merie Anne – From Fear to Empowerment

One of our most inspiring stories in 2025 was that of Ms. Merie Anne, a student in her seventies.

While applying for a job on ZipRecruiter, she fell victim to an online phishing scam that asked for personal details under the guise of employment paperwork. Shaken but determined, she enrolled in BTDD’s digital skills training at the Culver City Senior Center.

Through patient instruction and supportive peers, Ms. Merie Anne overcame her fear of technology. She learned how to:

• Recognize and avoid phishing scams.
• Manage her email confidently, sharing files and even assisting BTDD with grant applications.
• Use AI tools collaboratively with her daughter to create and publish a book—now available in their Amazon store.

Today, she earns a stipend with BTDD and proudly shares her journey with others. Her story illustrates how our programs transform fear into confidence and vulnerability into empowerment.

Our participants’ words best capture the impact of these programs:

• Ms. Brenda D.: “I’m getting over my fear of the computer. The staff is very friendly and patient.”
• Ms. Courtney J.: “So many aha moments! From phishing awareness to Gmail features I never knew existed.”
• Ms. Lola: “My best aha moment was learning how to download music from YouTube to my computer and phone.”

This feedback reinforces the importance of our programming in reducing digital exclusion and building confidence.

Milestones & Outcomes

• 200+ refurbished computers distributed via TechCycle program.
• 2,000+ residents trained in digital literacy.
• 12 youth instructor interns, creating intergenerational teaching teams.
• Additional eight new community partner sites established.
• Four weekly online classes offered, doubling virtual reach.
• Four AI workshops held for nonprofits, digital navigators, and community members.
• 100+ seniors introduced to autonomous vehicle technology.
• 10 active volunteers recruited (up from 3 in 2024).

Challenges

• High Demand: Waiting lists formed for classes at multiple sites.
• Device Access: While TechCycle device refurbishment helped, the demand for devices exceeded supply.
• Wide Digital Literacy Spectrum:Seniors exhibit a broad range of digital literacy. Some quickly grasp new concepts, while others, due to limited exposure, progress more slowly, making a uniform classroom setting difficult.

Successes

• Expanded countywide with new partner sites.
• Launched AI literacy as both curriculum and organizational practice.
• Piloted mobility programming with Waymo, addressing seniors’ transportation barriers.
• Tripled volunteer engagement, ensuring sustainability.
• Partnered with HACLA to get in-kind labor support to expand to more partner sites.

Looking Ahead

In 2026, BTDD aims to: scale the intergenerational mentorship program to reach 10 senior mentees, expand AI and emerging technology literacy offerings, grow TechCycle to meet device demand, and deepen partnerships with community centers, churches, and government agencies.