Senior Receives First Tablet Computer as Christmas Gift from NYCHA

For many people across the world, digital communication was the only way to have face-to-face family gatherings this holiday season. But for those lacking the technology, the holidays may have been even less of a family occasion than usual.  

One NYCHA senior, however, was able to get connected this Christmas, thanks to the quick actions of NYCHA staff. Justine Samuel, who said she is a mostly homebound resident of Vladeck Houses in Manhattan, had called NYCHA offices on Christmas Eve in hopes of receiving a free tablet device as a way to keep in touch with her family.  

The free, internet-connected T-Mobile tablets were made available for thousands of NYCHA senior residents through a partnership between Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office and Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) that was initiated this past spring. Upon receiving the call on December 24, Rodney Gwyn of NYCHA’s Family Services Department and two seasonal workers managed to hand deliver one of the tablets to Ms. Samuel on the very same day.  

“I was delighted that they brought the tablet to me right away,” said Ms. Samuel, who has lived at Vladeck Houses for nearly 20 years. “This was the Christmas gift that I needed.” 

Mr. Gwyn, a social work supervisor, said NYCHA has been focused on ensuring that the seniors who were not given free tablets as part of the initial donations are still able to receive the mobile device. By choosing to drive instead of taking the train, Mr. Gwyn said he and his associates were able to cut down on holiday travel and present their package to a grateful Ms. Samuel just in time for Christmas.  

“It was like another gift to be able to help a senior out and brighten their Christmas Eve,” he said. “She was so thankful to NYCHA for taking the time to look after the seniors.” 

Before receiving her first-ever tablet, Ms. Samuel’s access to the internet was limited to her cell phone, as she doesn’t have a computer in her home. With the help of one of her four grandchildren, she is learning the ins and outs of tablet technology, and she is relieved to have a larger, brighter screen when browsing the web.  

Most of all, Ms. Samuel is gratified that her Christmas gift allows her to stay connected to a world outside the comfort of her home.  

“It’s kind of difficult when you can’t reach out to somebody,” she said. “This gets me out to the world, being that I’m mostly homebound.”