Becoming Tech Savvy Seniors

Herndon, VA. On Saturday, November 8, 2025, the Fox Mill Chapter of the Young Men’s Service League (YMSL) visited with Herndon Harbor House senior citizens to help them with a variety of technical questions about their smartphones, tablets, and more. Organized by Herndon Village Network (HVN), this intergenerational event involved fun food, good conversations, and much learning. Seniors left feeling more tech savvy and looking forward to future opportunities to make connections.

With over 199 chapters in the United States, YMSL is a nonprofit that encourages mothers and their sons to serve their communities throughout all four years of high school. During the two-hour event, fifteen senior citizens enjoyed meeting with two YMSL mother-son teams–Megan and Jaxxen Barber and Carrie and CJ Mendelsohn. Some seniors had one or two quick questions, and others brought a list of issues. They also enjoyed hot apple cider, sweets, and conversation with HVN Board members and others.

With event participant ages ranging from 14 to 92, the intergenerational nature rang true. YMSL members have been exposed to a variety of modern technologies, making them almost second nature. As a result, the youth proved to be a perfect match for helping senior citizens who attended high school before the advent of even the basic hand-held calculators.

“It was wonderful to be able to help our clients and neighbors, to provide a way for the young men to serve, and to see the interaction between the generations,” shared Dave Gillard, the HVN Board Member who spearheaded the event. He continued, “I was struck by the genuine empathy and care exhibited by the boys, their moms, and the residents.”

Jenny Phipps, HVN Board Member and Staff Aide to Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman, agreed. “The young men enjoyed it; our board enjoyed it; and, most of all, our seniors enjoyed it…. It was great for HVN to take another step in expanding our village services.”

HVN helps to keep senior citizens connected to the community they know and love. The nonprofit thanks Herndon Harbor House Assistant Property Manager Arely Cruz for providing the facilities, resident Janice Watson for generating interest, and YMSL member Megan Barber for coordinating youth participation. HVN looks forward to holding this and similar intergenerational events in the future.

Gillard summed up well the importance of making connections with senior citizens. “In a world that seems increasingly divided, it was heart-warming to witness true community between multiple generations, ethnicities, and backgrounds. I thought it was a model for how we should all be with one another all the time.”