Student interns make all the difference for connection for the residents of Halcyon House in Washington. 

Residents regularly needed help with technology. Questions around phones, laptops, smart TVs, and more kept surfacing, and staff at Halcyon House knew that the next step needed to be taken. In the fall of 2024, the community partnered with Washington High School and created a paid student position. They were looking for students who had the knowledge and patience to help. 

Now, one student is onsite four days a week for about 90 minutes a day, offering one-on-one technical support. Residents schedule a time through the front office and choose what works best: meeting in a dedicated tech space on campus or having the student come to their apartment.

This student had a strong interest in technology as well as a personal connection: His grandmother had lived at Halcyon House. He worked from 2024 until 2025 before leaving for college nearby. Beginning in September 2025, another student named Sawyer Tschantz  stepped into the role and continued the work.

In a time when cell phones and technology are how most people stay connected, bridging the gap between generations is keeping residents of Halcyon House in touch with friends and family.