Technology is easier with a buddy.
Tech Buddies brings free, hands-on phone workshops to senior living communities, where residents learn practical skills with patient, one-on-one help.
What do you teach at your workshops?
Each visit focuses on a new phone skill, taught with its own slideshow and hands-on practice. Topics include:
Texting basics
Send, read, and reply to messages with family and friends.
Voice messages and talk-to-text
Speak a message out loud instead of typing it.
Emojis and reactions
Add a smile to a message, or tap a heart to show you loved it.
Group chats
Text the whole family at once, and quiet a chat when it gets busy.
Video calls
See and talk to loved ones face to face, wherever they are.
Easier-to-use settings
Make text larger, adjust brightness and volume, and customize your phone to fit your needs.
Camera and photos
Take, edit, and share pictures with the people you care about.
Scam safety
Spot the warning signs of fake messages and block numbers you don’t want.
How a visit works
You contact us
Fill out the contact form with your senior home's name and the dates you'd like us to visit.
We schedule a visit
Together we'll agree on a time, session length, and how many residents can join.
We teach, one on one
We go through each skill on screen, pausing after every slide to help residents try it themselves.
Our work
Where we've been
These communities have had us back for multiple visits.
Want to bring Tech Buddies to your community?
Contact usIn the news
The Detroit Jewish News
West Bloomfield Teens Launch Tech Buddies to Help Seniors Master Smartphones
Meet the buddies
Sydney
Sydney, a student at Bloomfield Hills High School, grew up as one of the family helpers her grandparents turned to whenever they had a question about their phones.
That made her realize how many older adults never grew up with smartphones and could use a patient, friendly guide. She co-founded Tech Buddies to bring that one-on-one support to senior living communities, where residents learn by practicing on their own devices.
Her goal is to build lasting relationships with the communities she visits, coming back regularly so residents can keep building their skills and confidence over time.
Aaron
Aaron, a student at Bloomfield Hills High School, loves helping people learn to use their phones.
His favorite part is the moment a new skill finally clicks and someone starts using it in their daily life.
He co-founded Tech Buddies to give seniors patient, one-on-one help, working with each resident individually so no one gets left behind, whether they’re struggling with small buttons or just need a step shown again.
He wants every senior to feel comfortable asking questions about technology, and he sees Tech Buddies as a chance for different generations to learn from each other.
Questions we hear
Does it cost anything?
No, our visits are always free. We're student volunteers who want to help, and all we ask is that your community provide a room with a TV or screen.
How long is a session?
Each session lasts about an hour. We arrive 15 minutes early to check in and set up, then start the lesson from there.
What do residents need to bring?
Just their own phone, fully charged. We teach on both iPhone and Android, so any smartphone works.
What if a resident doesn't have a smartphone?
They're still welcome to join! They can follow along with the slides, ask questions, and learn the basics before getting a phone of their own.
Can you teach topics other than texting?
Yes! Each visit covers a different skill, from video calls to scam safety. If residents want to learn something specific, just let us know.
What area do you serve?
We visit senior living communities throughout Metro Detroit. If you're a little farther away, reach out anyway and we'll see what we can do.
Who are you?
Tech Buddies was founded by high school students Sydney Aguilar and Aaron Gendelman, with a growing team of student volunteers who share their love of helping seniors.
Is it just the two of you doing the visits?
We often bring 1-2 student volunteers along, and dozens more have signed up to help, so every resident can get hands-on support.
How often can you visit?
We'd love to come back regularly, ideally once a month, with a new skill each time so residents can keep building on what they've learned.
Will residents get something to take home?
Yes, we bring printed handouts with simple steps so residents can practice after we leave.
Contact Us
Want us to visit your community, or hoping to volunteer? Send a message and we'll reply within 1-3 business days.