For the past five years, one remarkable resident-led program has ensured that no one at Ingleside at King Farm (IKF) is left behind in the digital age.
For many residents across Ingleside’s communities, technology has become an essential bridge — to family, friends, hobbies, and the world. Whether it’s learning to use video calls, setting up smart TVs, or troubleshooting a new tablet, the use of today’s tech tools brings joy, confidence, and connection for many.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors| Residents with a Passion for Service
The Resident Tech Help Program, founded and operated by residents and retired IBM employees, Terry Baker and Barbara Gressman, has quietly become one of the most utilized and relied-upon services at IKF.
What started as resident-led Microsoft Word and Excel training classes later became a weekly open session where residents could bring in their tech devices for repair. Eventually, the Tech Help program evolved into a cross-campus initiative that now supports hundreds of resident requests annually, and other nearby CCRCs have modeled their programs after Ingleside.
“We realized there was a need for further resident technical support because the sessions weren’t necessarily tailored to everyone’s individual needs,” said Barbara, who served as IT Committee chair at the time when the resident-led tech help first started. “When someone can’t get their printer installed or their computer screen suddenly goes black, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But a friendly voice on the other end of the line — someone who understands both the problem and the person — can make all the difference.”
Building a Connected Community Through Technology
The resident tech help service, which began with Barbara and Terry, has significantly grown over the years. The program has attracted volunteers and residents with decades of experience and a passion for service, expanding its reach and resources. This growth was further supported by Ingleside’s Chief Information Officer, Dusanka Trajkova, who established a dedicated dispatch hot line for the program.
With the help of the dispatch number, the team has been able to streamline and field hundreds of requests ranging from wi-fi setup and online banking tutorials to smartphone app navigation and even tips on how to avoid phishing attempts.
“It’s more than fixing a computer,” shared Terry. “It’s about empowering our community so that they know whom to call if they run into trouble.”
Celebrating Five Years of Lifelong Learning and Connection
As the Resident Tech Help hotline and dispatch program celebrates its fifth-year anniversary, Ingleside at King Farm plans to celebrate by sharing the success of the program in a Resident Council meeting and by honoring the dedication, patience, and innovation of the volunteers who have made it possible. Their leadership exemplifies what makes Ingleside special: a culture of lifelong learning, mutual support, and shared purpose.
In a world where technology moves fast, the Resident Tech Help dispatch line reminds everyone that help is always one call away.