Written by Latika Chen
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Ida Eva Zielinska
On October 9, 2025, during Digital Inclusion Week (DIW), the City of Boston held a celebration and recognition ceremony at City Hall to honor community organizations advancing its Digital Equity initiative, with Tzu Chi Boston, part of Tzu Chi USA’s Northeast Region, among those recognized. DIW, observed nationwide from October 6 to 10 in 2025, is an annual campaign that raises awareness about digital equity and digital inclusion, highlighting efforts to bridge the digital divide and ensure everyone has access to technology and the internet.
Tzu Chi USA Stands Out During Digital Inclusion Week
Boston City Councilors Henry Santana and Enrique J. Pepén, along with City of Boston Chief Information Officer Santiago “Santi” Garces, attended the awards ceremony to honor community partners. The Tzu Chi USA Boston Service Center was recognized by the city for its outstanding achievements in promoting digital education for older adults over the past year, and a representative of Tzu Chi volunteers was invited onstage to receive the award and share Tzu Chi’s achievements and joy with other community organizations.
“Our primary service recipients are seniors who speak Mandarin and Cantonese. We teach them how to turn on their phones, use Google Maps, make calls, and use translation apps,” said Vickie Chang, Director of the Boston Service Center. “Starting with just twenty participants, we now have regular attendees returning weekly for practice. Some have even begun learning to use ChatGPT!”
Being honored by the city government and celebrating alongside our community is a great honor for all our volunteers. Moving forward, we will continue to promote digital equity, ensuring more seniors have the opportunity to learn technology.
Supporting Older Adults in Learning Digital Skills
Since September 2024, Tzu Chi Boston has been commissioned by the City of Boston to implement its Digital Equity initiative, focusing on serving underprivileged older adults who primarily speak Mandarin. Tzu Chi mobilized young volunteers to serve as instructors and translators, offering three classes each month at Tzu Chi USA’s Boston Outreach Office in Chinatown. The classes guide participants step by step, from basic operations like powering on devices and sending messages to conducting internet searches and using online translation tools, helping them gradually bridge the digital divide.
Teaching assistant Yucheng Yu, one of the young volunteers supporting the classes, remarked, “At first, I worried I might be impatient with the seniors. But after a few classes, I saw how joyfully they learned. Watching them solve daily problems using Google Maps and ChatGPT gave me a real sense of accomplishment.”
As word spread, the program expanded from the Boston Outreach Office to five senior centers across the city, with nearly ten classes per month. Over the past year, 68 classes were offered, serving more than 200 older adults with a cumulative attendance of more than 800.
The Cycle of Love Unfolds as Learners Become Volunteers
These older digital literacy students truly value the skills they are gaining. Yuehhao Li remarked, “My greatest gain is learning to use translation apps and search for information. It makes daily tasks much easier and boosts my confidence.”
Many class participants then move from receiving digital literacy support to offering help through Tzu Chi’s community service activities, even as they continue learning. Chianchang Lin, digital literacy instructor and Tzu Chi community volunteer, recalled, “Once while street-sweeping in Chinatown, I met an auntie from my class. She smiled and said, ‘Teacher, you’re sweeping too!’ That’s when I realized these seniors aren’t just learning smartphones; they’re discovering Tzu Chi and wanting to give back to the community together.”
Su Ching Chen, one of the digital literacy students, shared joyfully, “I couldn’t use a smartphone before, but now I can look up directions, send messages, and even use translation apps. The teachers were so patient, and I learned a lot. I’ve started joining Tzu Chi’s street cleaning efforts to help Chinatown become cleaner. I feel happy when I see tourists are happy!”
Older adults who receive digital literacy support through Tzu Chi also join street cleaning efforts in Chinatown, moving from learners to community volunteers. Photos/Hsiao’I Chen
These basic computer and smartphone skills have reopened windows to the world for older adults while deepening the bonds of friendship between them and the young volunteers who teach and accompany them. In today’s technology-driven world, Tzu Chi builds bridges to new worlds through companionship and compassion, making technology accessible and turning learning into a force that connects generations and warms hearts.
