Connected for Life launches to empower lifelong learning across the CSRA

Augusta University’s Dr. Paulette P. Harris Literacy Center has launched Connected for Life, a new initiative designed to help adults throughout Augusta and the Central Savannah River Area build literacy and technology skills.

Betsy VanDeusen, PhD, director of the Harris Literacy Center, said the program emerged from both the center’s longstanding mission and the evolving needs of the community.

“Much of daily life now requires both literacy and digital skills,” VanDeusen said. “Whether someone is communicating with family, accessing healthcare, managing finances, applying for employment or using community resources, technology plays an important role. At the same time, adults told us they wanted opportunities to learn simply for the joy of learning.”

Connected for Life brings those needs together through adult literacy instruction, digital-skills training, community partnerships and educational programming. Developed in partnership with Senior Planet from AARP, the initiative is guided by a simple philosophy: “Always Free. Always Welcoming. Always Learning.”

VanDeusen explained that the goal extends beyond teaching people how to use technology.

“We began to see an opportunity to create an initiative focused on helping people stay connected, healthy, safe, independent and inspired,” she said. “This is ultimately about independence, connection and participation.”

The program will offer a wide variety of learning opportunities, including Senior Planet classes, digital literacy instruction, one-on-one technology coaching, health technology workshops, financial literacy programming, workforce readiness training, artificial intelligence classes, guest speakers and intergenerational learning experiences.

Initial offerings will focus on practical topics such as passwords and passkeys, digital genealogy tools and recognizing online fraud and scams. Future programming might include smartphones, email, telehealth, patient portals, online banking, social media, travel planning, photography, creative writing and genealogy.

“We want the program to respond to what adults actually want and need,” VanDeusen said. “The community’s voice will help shape what comes next.”

The initiative also addresses broader community needs tied to technology access, affordability and confidence. A needs assessment conducted by the center identified challenges related to internet access, healthcare systems, financial security, caregiving, employment and the desire for meaningful lifelong-learning opportunities.

Looking ahead, VanDeusen hopes Connected for Life becomes a trusted community resource throughout the area.

“A year from now, success would mean that people know they can come here to learn something new, ask for help and feel welcomed,” she said. “The strongest measure of success will be what people are able to do that they did not feel comfortable doing before.”