No one should be left behind in the digital age, especially not our older adults who have so much to give, share, and lead.
That’s why we’re launching our Digital Skills Initiative, a new program designed to equip adults age 50 and over in Eastern Kentucky with essential digital tools and confidence.
- One time per month from July – December 2025
- One hour per session
- In-person at SOAR’s Whitesburg, KY office
With support from a $20,000 AARP Community Challenge Grant and funding from Microsoft, this initiative is about more than technology.
It’s about connection, independence, and opportunity.
If you’re an adult 50 years or older (or know one), you can register for and attend these classes at no cost. To get started, send an email to our Digital Skills Curriculum Manager, Ashley Smith: ashley@soar-ky.org.
Improving Lives and Strengthening Communities
Across our region, many older adults still face barriers to fully engaging in today’s increasingly digital world. From accessing healthcare and applying for jobs to managing finances or simply staying in touch with family, digital literacy opens doors.
But for too many, those doors remain closed.
This initiative changes that. With in-person support, free workshops, and tailored resources, we’re making it easier than ever for older Eastern Kentuckians to learn the skills they need to thrive.
“We are incredibly proud that AARP selected SOAR for this investment to make Eastern Kentucky more livable for residents of all ages,” stated Colby Hall, SOAR Executive Director. “AARP is a nationwide leader in making communities more livable and we are honored that they see the tangible value this project will bring to our area.”
Training Real-World Digital Skills
Classes will be held at our Shaping Our Appalachian Region office in Whitesburg. Content will cover a range of real-world digital topics, including:
AI for Everyday Life: Learn how to use smart tools like voice assistants, chatbots, and simple automation to make daily life easier.
Microsoft Office Essentials: Build confidence with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Perfect for job seekers, small business owners, or anyone looking to sharpen their skills.
Online Safety + Privacy: Understand how to browse safely, avoid scams, and protect your personal information online.
Staying Connected: Get hands-on with Zoom, Facebook, and other apps to stay in touch with friends, family, and local events.
We’re also partnering with community organizations to provide loaner devices, help participants sign up for affordable broadband, and ensure anyone who wants to learn has the tools to do so.
And here’s something special: Through an intergenerational learning model, tech-savvy students will volunteer to support older adults in their learning journey, making this a community-building experience for everyone involved.
If you’re an adult 50 years or older (or know one), you can register for and attend these classes at no cost. To get started, send an email to our Digital Skills Curriculum Manager, Ashley Smith: ashley@soar-ky.org.
About the AARP Community Challenge
The AARP Community Challenge grant program supports projects in areas such as public places, housing, transportation, digital connectivity, community resilience, and more. In 2025, Toyota Motor North America is providing funding for pedestrian safety projects that aim to improve streets and sidewalks nationwide. Microsoft is also contributing funding for digital connections projects aimed at expanding high-speed internet (broadband) access and adoption.
This is all part of AARP’s nationwide work on livable communities, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and counties across the country to become great places for all. AARP believes that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents of all ages to participate in community life.
To learn more about the projects being funded by the AARP Community Challenge across the nation, including all 383 granted projects this year, visit AARP.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of current and past AARP Community Challenge projects and AARP’s Livable Communities work at AARP.org/Livable.