Mode to Code teaches Bay Area seniors AI and scam avoidance through a teen-led nonprofit bridging the digital divide between generations. At free weekly workshops in San Francisco senior centers, high school volunteers give retirees practical skills in cybersecurity, internet basics, and artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT to navigate today’s tech-heavy world.
The program’s zero-tuition model is a standout success in a region where many nonprofits struggle. By leveraging free classroom space, donated equipment, and the energy of its 15-20 student volunteers, Mode to Code keeps costs low while expanding its reach. Classes host 5-25 learners, with immediate real-world impact; one 78-year-old participant reported using her new scam-spotting checklist to avoid a phishing call the day after her class.
Inside the Intergenerational Classroom
Volunteers use proven intergenerational teaching methods, starting with live demonstrations on a projected screen. They guide seniors through tasks like spotting fake emails, followed by learner-centered pauses for hands-on practice. “Tech-buddy” pairs provide one-on-one help, ensuring every participant leaves with a new skill successfully learned.
A typical four-week series covers:
- Recognizing phishing, vishing, and spoofed URLs
- Using AI chatbots for safe information look-ups
- Managing passwords with encrypted vaults
- Adjusting privacy settings on phones and tablets
Printed checklists reinforce retention at home, mirroring reinforcement tactics highlighted in a 2025 PMC review of elderly learning preferences.
Program Growth and Community Impact
The program’s growth has been rapid, expanding from two neighborhood centers to include pop-up workshops at five middle schools. This cross-age format previews UHS Hacks 2025, a social-impact hackathon founder Jacob Shaul has scheduled at San Francisco University High School with nearly $20,000 in community sponsorship. Details about the project appeared in the Patch article on Mode to Code.
Shaul plans to publish a formal impact brief once the program surpasses 1,000 senior enrollments. Until then, the team tracks progress with a traveling paper banner signed by every graduate – a tangible testament to the growing confidence and connection fostered by the initiative.
What is Mode to Code and who started it?
Mode to Code is a free, volunteer-run nonprofit launched in summer 2024 by Jacob Shaul, a junior at San Francisco University High School. The program began with after-school coding classes for middle-schoolers and quickly expanded to in-person technology workshops for Bay Area seniors, taught by a team of 15-20 high-school volunteers.
Which skills do seniors actually learn in the classes?
Seniors receive hands-on coaching in cybersecurity, internet basics and AI tools such as ChatGPT. Instead of abstract coding lessons, volunteers focus on practical, everyday tasks – spotting phishing emails, making safe video calls, setting up passwords and using voice assistants – so participants leave with skills they can apply the same day.
How big is the program’s reach so far?
Exact 2025 enrollment numbers have not been published, but classes are limited to 5-25 learners per session (average 10-15) and are offered repeatedly at local senior centers. The same volunteer corps also runs global online lessons on five continents, yet the Bay Area senior workshops remain strictly in-person to make tech feel less intimidating.
Why intergenerational teaching works for older adults
Research published in 2025 shows that relatable, patient mentors close in age to grandchildren boost seniors’ confidence more than professional instructors. Techniques used by Mode to Code – guided demonstrations, tech-buddy pairs, step-by-step handouts and goal-oriented projects like creating a digital photo album – mirror the best-practice checklist found in peer-reviewed geragogy studies.
How can a senior sign up or arrange a session?
Interested participants (or family members) should contact participating senior centers directly and ask whether Mode to Code volunteers are scheduled; the nonprofit does not charge facilities or attendees. High-school groups hoping to replicate the model can review the program outline in the Patch feature on Jacob Shaul’s community work and reach out through his school for guidance on lesson plans and safety protocols.
