By Kim Glovas

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Senior citizens at a Center City assisted living community got some free lessons in technology Monday at the Senior Tech Rally.

The event was held at the Atria Facility at 20th and Race Streets.

The idea is to put smart phones, tablets and wireless technology into the hands of senior citizens and teach them how to use them.

“Even though they’re seniors, and they didn’t really grow up with the technology, they see it happening all around them,” said Atria’s Christa Cicala, who set up the tech event. “So they want to know how to use smartphones, they want to text message, they see their grandkids, they want to be able to share that with them.”

Resident Gloria Goldman owns a desk top computer, an I-Pad and a Kindle.

“I think it’s fun, and it keeps you young, it keeps you up with the younger kids. My son is so thrilled, both of them.”

Goldman says the best part is keeping in touch with her granddaughters and she plans to start texting them soon.