You need to keep up!

While volunteering at a local food pantry near his church, Tychicus Childs noticed a nearby computer center. It piqued his interest because he’d been wanting to learn more about computers.

As he researched options closer to home, he learned about the Connecting Our Seniors to Technology (COST) program offered at Benjamin Rose’s headquarters location on Fairhill Rd., which is within walking distance of his house.

“Mr. Childs expressed that with everything being so technology-based now, he felt the need to learn more about what he could be using a computer for,” says Tiffany Taylor, director of housing and financial wellness at Benjamin Rose.

At age 74, Mr. Childs was eager to continue learning new things, including how to best use the smart phone his adult children had given him.

“I’m glad to be this age, and grateful for all I’ve learned, but I also want to reinvent myself,” says Mr. Childs, who shares that thanks to the COST classes, he no longer has to run to his grandson every time he needs help with that smart phone.

Along with getting to meet and spend time with people his age during the financial education classes that are required to participate in COST, he learned about credit scores and reports, budgeting, paperless statements, flash drives and more.  

“The classes changed my whole way of doing business. Now I pay bills online – I haven’t had to write a check or buy stamps – and track every dollar I spend,” says Mr. Childs.

The program also helped him save money. Upon completing COST, participants receive a free laptop and a monthly stipend to offset internet costs for one year.

Mr. Childs plans to take the COST classes again in the future.

“Things keep changing,” he says. “You need to keep up and embrace new ways of doing things.”