QUEENS, NY — A coalition of Queens elected officials: Senator Leroy Comrie, Senator James Sanders Jr., Assemblymembers Alicia L. Hyndman, Clyde Vanel, Larinda C. Hooks and Khaleel Anderson, Councilmembers Selvena Brooks-Powers and Dr. Nantasha Williams with support fromGoogle.Org and OATS from AARP Older Adults Technology Services to bring hands-on technology training directly to Southeast Queens residents.

The first workshop in the series, “Protecting Your Personal Information Online,” took place on Thursday, December 4th, from 10:45 AM to 12:00 PM at the Alpha Phi Alpha Senior Center, located at 220-01 Linden Blvd, Cambria Heights, NY 11411.

This session helped residents learn how to stay safe while browsing the internet, recognize online scams and understand when and how to share personal information securely. Additional workshops covering fraud/scam awareness and an introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) will follow as part of the broader digital literacy rollout across Queens.

Reggie Thomas, Head of Government Affairs for Google New York said, "Google is proud to support this essential digital skills workshop series with dedicated Queens elected officials and AARP Older Adults Technology Services (OATS). Through this effort, we are committed to ensuring that Southeast Queens residents, particularly our seniors, feel comfortable and empowered to navigate the internet. These free, hands-on trainings, which cover everything from staying safe online and avoiding scams to an introduction to emerging tools like AI, are designed to bridge the digital divide and help everyone thrive in today's world."

Mario Rubano, Regional Program Manager at OATS from AARP said, “Learning to navigate the internet safely is essential for helping older adults thrive online. Topics covered in Senior Planet classes about fraud, scams, and AI are vital to empowering older adults in the digital world. We’re proud to be working with Google, an industry leader, and with elected officials to bring these resources to seniors in Southeast Queens.” 

State Senator Leroy Comrie said, “Bringing trusted digital tools and training directly into our community is essential. Too many of our residents, especially seniors, are navigating an online world that’s changing every day. This shared initiative with Google and OATS helps ensure that Southeast Queens has access to clear, practical guidance on how to stay safe online, avoid scams and use technology with confidence. I’m grateful to all of our collaborators for working together to make these resources accessible to the people who need them most.”

Senator James Sanders Jr. said, "In today’s world, technology is not a luxury — it is a lifeline. Too often, our seniors and everyday working families are left behind in the digital divide, making them more vulnerable to scams, fraud, and missed opportunities. That is why this initiative with Google and OATS is so critical. We are bringing real, practical digital skills directly into our community so our residents can protect themselves, stay informed, and thrive in a rapidly changing world. Southeast Queens deserves nothing less."

NYS Assemblywoman Alicia L Hyndman said, “In an increasingly digital world, access to technology and the skills to use it safely are not luxuries—they are necessities. Bridging the digital divide means ensuring that Southeast Queens residents, particularly our seniors, are not left behind. This collaboration with Google and OATS empowers our community with the tools to navigate the internet confidently, protecting their hard-earned assets while staying connected to the resources and loved ones that matter most.”

Assemblyman Clyde Vanel said, “With online scams growing more sophisticated every day, knowing how to spot them has become an essential skill to have. I am grateful for this effort with Google and OATS, which will equip Southeast Queens residents with the tools they need to protect themselves and their hard-earned assets online from scammers and empower them to feel safe and more confident as they navigate our ever-increasing digital world.”

Assemblywoman Hooks said, "Access to trusted technology training is an equity issue. For many in our district, especially older adults, the digital world can feel overwhelming. These workshops make learning approachable and empowering. I’m grateful to Google and OATS for working with us to bring real, hands-on support to Queens and to ensure our residents have the skills they need to thrive online."

Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson said, “Today, countless harmful scams target our most vulnerable populations. As technology and AI rapidly advance, seniors are increasingly exposed to these schemes. I’m grateful for the collaboration between Google, OATS, and AARP Older Adult Technology Services. There must be an ongoing increase in education about these threats for our seniors, and the best way to combat this is by offering free classes that provide opportunities to learn and become fully equipped.”

Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers said, “Digital literacy is no longer optional — it’s essential, In Southeast Queens and communities across our city, where so many of our seniors and families rely on technology to stay connected, access services, and protect themselves from online threats, these workshops are a game-changer. I’m proud to work with Senator Comrie, my colleagues in government, Google, and OATS to bring high-quality, hands-on digital training directly into our neighborhoods. When we invest in digital skills, we invest in safety, independence, and opportunity for every resident.”

Councilwoman Dr. Nantasha Williams said, "Technology touches almost every part of our lives now, and our community deserves the knowledge to use it safely and confidently. I hear from seniors, caregivers, and small business owners who are doing their best to keep up with a digital world that shifts by the day. Bringing this kind of hands-on training directly into Southeast Queens gives people real tools to protect their information, recognize scams, and make informed decisions online. It’s about access, but it’s also about honoring our residents’ independence and making sure they’re not left behind as technology evolves. I’m grateful to Google and OATS for partnering with us to deliver resources that truly meet people where they are.”

Jacqui Williams, Founder of 99 Solutions, said, "As a strategist for this initiative, I connected Google with Southeast Queens leaders to serve their constituents. At 99 Solutions, we ensure inclusion is central—so seniors and underserved residents gain the digital skills to stay safe and thrive online."

About the AARP/OATS Digital Skills Workshops: The Digital Skills Workshops, funded by Google.org, are a community initiative designed to expand digital confidence and online safety for residents of all ages, with a focus on seniors and underserved households. The series began with “Protecting Your Personal Information Online” and will grow to include additional training in early 2026. Workshops are free, hands-on and accessible to participants with any level of technology experience. Each session provides clear, practical guidance to help residents navigate the digital world safely and independently. Program areas include online privacy and security, recognizing and responding to fraud and scams, and understanding emerging tools such as artificial intelligence. Participants learn how to identify suspicious links or messages, protect personal information, spot deepfakes and AI-driven scams and make informed choices when using new technologies. Additional sessions will be held at senior centers, community centers and neighborhood hubs throughout Southeast Queens, with virtual options available for those who prefer to participate from home.

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