New program delivers digital literacy training, online benefits access, telehealth navigation, job readiness support, and broadband training — with dedicated outreach to elderly veterans who remain disconnected
July 19, 2026 — The Virgin Islands Veterans Association (VIVA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors connected to those that have served — both in the territory and across the mainland diaspora — today announced the launch of its Veteran Workforce & Digital Readiness Initiative. The program is designed to close a growing gap between the services veterans are owed and their ability to actually reach them online.
Why This Initiative Matters
Access to VA benefits, health care, and jobs increasingly runs through a screen — but a large share of the veteran community, especially older veterans, is being left offline. VIVA is launching this initiative with full capabilities in 2027 because the data is clear:
Nationally, 15% of veteran households have no internet connection at all, and among veterans enrolled in VA health care, internet use drops sharply with age — from 97% of enrollees under 65 to just 79% of enrollees 65 and older.
More than half (55%) of rural veterans enrolled in VA care are over the age of 65, and veterans overall are considerably older than the general population — an average age of 61, compared with 45 for non-veterans — meaning the population VIVA serves skews toward exactly the demographic least likely to be online.
Nearly 1 in 3 Americans over age 60 (32.6%) lack broadband internet at home, and an estimated 22 million older adults nationwide have no home broadband at all.
The bottom line: most of the elderly veterans in our community simply do not have reliable access to a computer, smartphone, or broadband connection — and that gap is exactly what keeps them locked out of benefits, telehealth, and services that everyone else takes for granted.
VA’s own national Digital Divide Consult program has already helped more than 12,000 veterans obtain internet access or a video-capable device for care — proof that targeted, hands-on outreach closes this gap. VIVA is building on that model at the community level.
Five Focus Areas of the Program
1. Digital Literacy Workshops — basic computer and smartphone skills, email, video calling, and online safety and scam awareness, taught at a pace suited to first-time users.
2. Online Benefits Access — hands-on, one-on-one help navigating VA.gov, claims status tools, DEERS/TRICARE, and USVI Office of Veterans Affairs resources.
3. Telehealth Navigation — guided setup and practice with VA Video Connect and My HealtheVet so veterans can attend medical appointments without traveling.
4. Job Readiness & Career Services — resume building, online job applications, USAJOBS and LinkedIn navigation, and an introduction to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) opportunities.
5. Broadband & Device Training — help identifying and enrolling in low-cost internet and device programs, plus basic home network setup and troubleshooting support.
Built With Elderly Veterans First in Mind
Because older veterans face the steepest barriers, VIVA is designing this initiative around their needs first, rather than treating digital access as an afterthought:
• Peer and family mentoring — pairing elderly veterans with tech-comfortable younger veterans, VIVA volunteers, or family members for patient, one-on-one support.
• In-person, not just online — small-group and one-on-one sessions held at accessible community locations, with printed step-by-step guides alongside the digital ones.
• Device access — help identifying low-cost or no-cost device and broadband programs, plus a device loan and donation drive for veterans who need a starting point.
• Partnerships with senior-serving organizations — coordination with senior centers, USVI Office of Veterans Affairs, and community partners to reach veterans who are not already connected to VIVA.
About VIVA
The Virgin Islands Veterans Association (VIVA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for veterans and their families, assisting or conducting referrals to VSOs with VA disability claims and benefits, and strengthening support services for the veteran community. VIVA works directly with members to educate and navigate VA processes, connect with accredited representation, and build the digital, workforce, and community resources veterans need to thrive.
