Bridging Boomers
Our Story
Bridging Boomers was founded by sisters Rose and Violet Birnbaum, who are passionate about helping seniors feel confident, connected, and valued in today’s digital world. Through their volunteer work in senior living communities, they saw how much patience, kindness, and encouragement can mean to someone who is struggling. They also noticed this in their own family, when they watched their grandparents feel frustrated and left out during COVID because they didn’t know how to use their phones or tablets. Simple things like joining video calls, using social media apps, or finding important information felt overwhelming to them. Instead of ignoring the problem, Rose and Violet decided to help. They spent time teaching their grandparents step by step, celebrating small successes along the way. Seeing their grandparents’ excitement when they could finally FaceTime family or send messages on their own showed them how powerful technology can be. It helped their grandparents feel more independent and connected, and it inspired the sisters to think bigger. What started as helping their own family quickly grew into a shared mission. Rose and Violet wanted to bring the same patience and support to other seniors in their community. Together, they created Bridging Boomers to make sure older adults feel included, respected, and empowered in a digital world!
Our Services
Helping Seniors Click, Connect, and Thrive
Bridging Boomers is a student-led community service initiative that helps seniors in assisted living and long-term care facilities become more independent with technology. Through one-on-one support and small group workshops, teen volunteers teach older adults how to use smartphones, tablets, and computers to stay connected with loved ones, manage daily tasks, and access important information. The program also focuses on online safety, helping seniors recognize scams and navigate the internet securely. By building trusting relationships between generations, Bridging Boomers promotes dignity, confidence, and lifelong learning.
Boomer Tip Sheet
Technology Safety Tips for Staying Safe & Protected
- Trust Your Instincts
If someone seems to know too much about your whereabouts, conversations, or plans, your phone, email, computer, or vehicle may be monitored. Trust your instincts and take your concerns seriously. - Create a Technology Safety Plan
Technology should be part of every safety plan. Consider how tools like social media, online dating apps, GPS, Bluetooth, smart home devices, OnStar, and location services may affect your safety. - Change Passwords & Security Questions
Update passwords for email, banking, social media, and shared accounts. Also change security questions if someone close to you may know the answers. - Review Cell Phone Settings
Check your smartphone’s location services and app permissions. Turn off Bluetooth when not in use to reduce the risk of tracking or unauthorized access. - Consider a New or Donated Cell Phone
If your phone is provided by the abusive person, it may be monitored. Contact a local hotline or support agency to ask about donated phones or safer communication options. - Use a Safer Computer
If someone has access to your personal computer, they may be monitoring your activity. When possible, use a safer computer at a library, community center, or other trusted public location. - Search Your Name Online
Use search engines like Google or Bing to see what personal information may be publicly available. Search your full name in quotation marks along with your city or state. Check image results too. - Review Social Media Privacy Settings
Check privacy settings on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and other platforms. Limit location sharing and remove harmful or identifying information that could compromise safety. - Ask About Public Records
Court records, government files, and public databases may reveal personal information. Ask agencies how your information is shared and request privacy protections when available. - Use Optional Phone Services
Services like Google Voice can help protect your personal phone number by creating a secondary number that forwards calls to your devices. This adds flexibility and privacy. - Use Tracker Detection Apps
Tracker detection apps can help identify devices such as GPS trackers, Apple AirTags, Tile trackers, and more.