As technology continues to shape how we communicate, manage finances, and access essential services, digital skills are more important than ever. Over the next two years, OATS is working with JPMorganChase to bring free Senior Planet programming to older adults through virtual Teletown Halls and in-person classes at Chase branch locations nationwide.
This fall, OATS hosted the first Teletown Hall on Facebook and five in-person classes at Chase branches, offering older adults multiple ways to engage with practical technology education. The Teletown Hall connected participants with experts from Senior Planet and AARP’s Fraud Watch Network who shared guidance, answered questions, and offered tips for navigating technology and protecting themselves from scams. The in-person sessions focused on smartphone security and recognizing scams in the age of artificial intelligence, two increasingly important topics as digital threats continue to evolve.
In total, 67 older adults participated in the in-person classes. The events took place in:
- Chicago, Illinois: October 19 with 17 attendees
- Los Angeles, California: October 20 with 25 attendees
- Houston, Texas: October 21 with 5 attendees
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: October 22 with 3 attendees
- Miami, Florida: October 23 with 17 attendees
Hosting these sessions at neighborhood Chase branches brought learning opportunities into familiar, convenient community spaces. Participants could ask questions, receive guidance from instructors, and connect with others while developing skills to better protect themselves online.
To help reach older adults in each community, OATS coordinated local media outreach to raise awareness of the free classes. Coverage appeared in Patch across all five markets, as well as the Los Angeles Sentinel in Print and Digital, and Houston Press. In Los Angeles, outreach also included an interview with KTLA, helping introduce the initiative to an even broader audience.
These events mark the beginning of a broader two-year initiative supported by Chase to strengthen financial empowerment and fraud prevention education for older adults nationwide. In 2027, OATS plans to expand the program through an additional Teletown Hall, virtual classes, and in-person workshops at Chase Community Branches. Together, these efforts will help more older adults build the skills and confidence to recognize scams, protect their personal information, and navigate an increasingly digital financial world.
