St. Barnabas Senior Services

Imagine not understanding when trying to buy something, there’s an emergency and you don’t know how to call for help, or you feel like the forgotten generation. At SBSS, we provide literacy training in languages, digital adoption, and civic engagement. As we age, we all want the freedom to be independent, with the ability to live a fulfilling life.
The Education program at St. Barnabas Senior Services promotes adult literacy and civic engagement by focusing on English as a Second Language (ESL), digital literacy classes, and advocacy training.

By 2030, adults over 65 will make up 20% of California's population, with loneliness and isolation becoming critical issues. SBSS's technology education program teaches technology basics to help older adults maintain their social connections, increase access to care, and improve their quality of life. The program, designed based on participant feedback, includes diverse, multilingual staff, and aims to scale across California, enhancing older adults' social support networks and reducing reliance on assisted living.

In response to the difficulties many older adults faced in accessing services and activities during the pandemic, SBSS launched the GOAL-Tech program to address the digital divide that affects older adults and caregivers. The pandemic accelerated the move of many previously brick-and-mortar services, including healthcare, social services, and grocery shopping to an online environment. GOAL-Tech provides training, support, connectivity, and hardware to allow older adults and caregivers to use technology to ensure their ability to stay connected.

We are training Seniors to be AGEnts for Change in Los Angeles to improve the lives of Older Adults in our City through advocacy.