Community Skills Exchange (CSE)

CSE connects youth and seniors to build digital skills, confidence, and social connections, while youth gain paid experience, leadership skills, and micro-credentials.

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Inspiration

My teammate and I were inspired to create Community Skills Exchange to bridge the gap between youth and seniors, helping seniors gain digital confidence while giving youth meaningful, paid experience.

What it does

CSE connects youth aged 18–24 with seniors 60 and older to provide digital skills coaching, social connection, and mentorship. Seniors learn video calls, scam awareness, and online services, while youth gain leadership skills, micro-credentials, and real-world experience.

How we built it

We structured a four-week pilot, with a Trainee Phase for youth, a Coach Phase to practice facilitation, and a final week where youth lead seniors through digital skills sessions. We also developed a prototype web platform to track progress, provide resources, and ensure accessibility and security.

Challenges we ran into

A key challenge was creating a fully functioning website under a tight time constraint while keeping the design friendly and accessible for both youth and seniors. We addressed this by prioritizing essential features, using standardized templates, and testing usability for both audiences.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud to have designed a replicable, scalable program that benefits multiple generations, strengthens social connections, and prepares youth for the workforce.

What we learned

We learned the importance of intergenerational collaboration, thoughtful program design, and balancing preparation with hands-on practice to create meaningful, measurable impact.

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