Dale Community Center offers free Digital Safety Classes through AARP grant

DALE, Texas — From recognizing online scams and protecting personal information to accessing healthcare websites, technology has become an important part of everyday life. However, keeping up with changing technology can be challenging, particularly for older adults. The Dale Community Center is working to make those challenges easier to manage by offering free, hands-on classes designed to help residents become more comfortable and confident using digital devices.

   The Digital Confidence for Seniors program is supported by an $18,000 AARP Community Challenge Demonstration Grant, with funding support provided by Microsoft. While the program is designed primarily for adults ages 50 and older, residents of all ages are welcome to participate. Rather than focusing on traditional computer instruction, the classes address everyday situations, including recognizing fraudulent messages, creating stronger passwords, protecting personal accounts, and safely navigating online healthcare services.

   During a recent class, Dale resident Kathy Kramer used AARP’s online scam-tracking map to investigate whether a scam encountered by her father had been reported in the area. The exercise offered a practical example of how technology can help residents recognize suspicious activity and potentially avoid becoming victims of fraud. With online scams becoming increasingly sophisticated, instructors are also helping participants understand how artificial intelligence can be used to create convincing fraudulent messages and how criminals sometimes impersonate family members, businesses, and trusted organizations.

   “Technology has become part of nearly everything we do, from managing our healthcare to communicating with family and handling financial matters,” said Tami Brandenberger, secretary of the Dale Community Center. “But not everyone has had the opportunity to learn how to use these tools safely. We want people to know they can come in, ask questions, practice on their own devices, and get help without feeling intimidated or embarrassed.”

   The remaining sessions will focus on four areas of digital safety and practical technology use: protecting online accounts, identifying scams, navigating patient portals and telehealth services, and improving everyday digital skills. Participants will learn how to use two-step verification, recognize warning signs in suspicious emails and text messages, and better understand the security features available on their devices. The classes also provide opportunities for individual assistance, allowing residents to ask questions about problems they may have encountered while using their own smartphones, tablets, or laptops. Equipment will also be available at the community center for those who need it.

   Nine sessions remain in November, beginning Friday, Nov. 6, and continuing through Friday, Nov. 20. Morning classes are generally scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m., while afternoon sessions run from 1 to 2:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend, no advance registration is required, and participants do not need previous computer experience. Residents may attend as many or as few sessions as they choose, depending on their interests and availability.

   The digital safety program is one of two AARP Community Challenge grants awarded to the Dale Community Center in 2026. The organization also received a $2,500 AARP Community Challenge Capacity-Building Microgrant to support disaster preparedness education. That funding helped provide bilingual instruction aimed at preparing residents for local emergencies, including identifying potential hazards, assembling emergency supplies, and understanding how to receive emergency alerts and other important information during a disaster.

   Together, the two projects are part of the community center’s ongoing efforts to provide educational opportunities and practical resources for residents of Dale and surrounding Caldwell County communities. Both programs address situations that can affect families regardless of age, whether that involves protecting financial information online, communicating with healthcare providers, or preparing for an emergency.

   The AARP Community Challenge is part of the organization’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports community improvement projects intended to make neighborhoods and communities better places to live for people of all ages.

   All Digital Confidence for Seniors classes are held at the Dale Community Center, 47 Civic Drive in Dale. For additional information, visit dalecc.org or call 512-601-0536.

     Remaining Digital Confidence for Seniors Classes:

•Nov. 6-10-11:30 a.m.

•Nov. 9-10-11:30 a.m.

•Nov. 10-1-2:30 p.m.

•Nov. 12-1-2:30 p.m.

•Nov. 13-10-11:30 a.m.

•Nov. 16-10-11:30 a.m.

•Nov. 17-10-11:30 a.m.

•Nov. 18-10-11:30 a.m.

•Nov. 20-10-11:30 a.m.

    The Digital Confidence for Seniors project was funded by an AARP grant with funding support provided by Microsoft. The disaster preparedness project was funded by a separate AARP grant.