SparkAssist — Technology help for Seniors
Patient help with the technology in your life, where you already live.
Who it's for
Seniors, including residents of assisted living, independent living, and senior communities. Family members are welcome to come along and sit in.
What happens
We run workshops on site — recognizing scams and fraud, using email confidently, making a phone or tablet easier to see and hear, video calling family, staying safe online. Sessions are small, unhurried, and there is never a question that's too basic.
We also help with the individual problems that come up afterwards. Sometimes that's a television that won't switch inputs. Sometimes it's a password nobody can remember. Both matter.
Nothing is rushed and nothing is assumed. If a topic needs a second pass, it gets one.
No cost to take part.
Nothing to pay, and nothing to sign up for.
At senior living communities, libraries, and community centers across the Denver metro area.
How it usually works with a community
We start with a conversation about what residents are actually struggling with — it is rarely what staff expect. Then we run a first session, adjust based on how it goes, and settle into a rhythm, usually monthly.
Over time we build up the topics that matter to that particular community, and residents start bringing the questions they've been saving up.
Three ways in
I want to take part
Tell us a little about what you need and we'll say where and when SparkAssist is running next — for you, or for someone you're asking on behalf of.
Ask about taking partWe want to host this
Care communities, shelters, libraries, schools, and community organizations — here's what hosting involves.
Host SparkAssistI want to help
Workshop volunteers, mentors, and interns. Patience matters more than technical skill.
Get involvedOr reach us directly: (303) 228-5535 · support@smallspark.org
Questions
Do I need to bring my own device?
Bring whatever you already use — a phone, tablet, or laptop — because the goal is to make your device work better for you. If you don't have one, come anyway. We bring equipment to sessions and plenty of what we cover is useful before you own anything.
What if I've never used a computer?
That's completely fine and more common than you'd think. Sessions start wherever the room starts, and you're welcome to say "I don't follow" as many times as you like. Nobody is being tested.
Can my daughter come with me?
Yes. Family members are welcome, and it often helps — they hear the same explanation you do, so the conversation at home afterwards is easier.
How do I know a call from you is really from you?
We will never call you out of the blue and ask for a password, a payment, a gift card, or remote access to your device. If you're unsure whether a call is really from us, hang up and call SmallSpark directly at (303) 228-5535. Doing that is always the right move, and we will never be annoyed by it.
What if I need help between sessions?
Bring it to the next session, or ask the staff at your community to get in touch with us. If it's something we can talk through on the phone, we will.
Is there any cost to me or to my family?
There is no cost to take part. There is nothing to sign up or pay for.
Do I have to sign up in advance?
Usually not — sessions are open to anyone in the community that day. Your community may keep a list simply so they know how many chairs to set out.
Related reading
- Digital SafetyWhat to Do If You Think You Gave Information or Money to a ScammerA calm, ordered response for the first hour, the first day, and the first week — who to contact, what to secure, and where to report.
- Digital SafetyAI Voice Scams: How Families Can Verify an Emergency Without PanickingSynthetic voice has made emergency impersonation cheap and convincing. A simple family verification routine defeats it in under a minute.
- Digital SafetyHow to Help an Older Parent With Technology Without Taking Away Their IndependencePractical help that leaves a parent more capable, not more dependent — how to set up devices, share access appropriately, and prevent scams without taking control.
- Digital SafetyIs This a Scam? 10 Warning Signs Before You Click, Pay, or RespondTen signals that a message, call, or website is fraudulent — and the pause-and-verify habit that protects you when the signals are subtle.