Lowry’s hard-working team running Senior Planet has made a huge impact on our neighborhood. Located behind the Lowry Beer Garden, the center has been an amazing gathering place for local older adults over the last six years. Behind the center’s programming is Aaron Santis who was recently awarded The Lowry Business Alliance Person of the Year 2025. He’s a keeper, and he keeps this operation humming.
Senior Planet promotes learning, educational needs, entertainment, and helping older adults who are usually left out of the high-tech world. Here they will find that technology is their friend. It has grown from 10 classes and 20 students to 32 programs and 1,400 students.
Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP, the nonprofit organization behind the Senior Planet center, was launched in New York in 2004 by Tom Kamber, and it gradually grew as they hit a “hot spot” of what seniors needed. Starting with the first technology-themed senior center in Manhattan in 2013, Senior Planet has spread out across the country through online programming and four main in-person centers – including one in our very own Lowry, which is really a huge deal.
With an average of two dozen classes each week, two full-time instructors move seniors through this wonderfully complicated world of computers, AI and new knowledge. “You’re never too old to learn,” is a phrase that is shared at the center often. And Aaron keeps this all moving at a rate that people can understand and learn from.
A native New Yorker from Westchester, Aaron worked in a nursing home in high school. “I liked volunteering there and worked both part time and then full time. He majored in psychology at Lehman College where he learned about human behavior and insight into how or why people do what they do. He liked seeing how older people learned and took their “I can’t do that” attitude and showed them, “Yes you can.” With patience and instruction, he developed a rapport with the older student – not always easy.
He worked in New York City in the flagship Senior Planet for four years and a desire for a chance to manage the Lowry/Colorado branch of Senior Planet brought him here to Denver.
Aaron says he’s a “people person,” so he gets along with everyone and likes the job of Program Lead, overseeing the many statewide programs. He enjoys meeting people from Windsor Gardens, Aurora, and Lowry and says, “It’s really important for everyone to be able to expand their computer skills from email to printing photos to drafting and to making a spread sheet.”
Currently, Aaron is expanding the program adding Jessie Hawthorn as a program planner. She will complement the staff with her degrees in Adult Education. She has experience with international students having lived and traveled extensively in Ethiopia. “Working here with Aaron will be great and there’s a lot of opportunity here for learning,” says Jessie.
Aaron has developed wonderful programs that he’s brought to Lowry. A poetry slam in June last year was featured in Central Park’s Front Porch and was picked up by Channel 7, KMGH TV. The event was led by author and poet Linda C. Shaw and has more than three million hits on the feature. A drag show in the summer brought in five female illusionists (over 50) who performed to a welcoming audience of seniors who enjoyed the charming performers working for tips and fun. “One was 82 and still in heels,” he said, laughing at the memory. “You’re never too old to follow your dream.”
What does Aaron do for fun along with work? He currently lives in Capitol Hill on Poets’ Row and has easy access to downtown and all the activities of the inner city. “I like skiing and getting into the mountains and working out with a softball team.” He can work from home on some days, but mostly he’s in the center helping with set up for classes or in a meeting. He moves around the big room, talking to everyone. “I like the impact of what we do and can do in this room,” he says pointing out clumps of two or three people visiting, having coffee, getting ready for a class or just enjoying the atmosphere of Senior Planet.
There’s a “can do” spirit here. People know they are going to get insight into the area they are studying and can collaborate with teachers and other participants. All that come through the door are encouraged to suggest classes, start a book club or organize a group around their interests. Once a month, Senior Planet holds a social party with drinks and appetizers.
“Run it by Aaron,” I heard one volunteer tell an interested party who had entered the room. “He can help you.” And help he can.
Derek Camunez, with the Lowry Business Alliance, said, “Aaron is a wonderful promoter of learning and gets things done with vision and dedication. His work reflects not only professional excellence but also a genuine commitment to building community.”
Lowry recognizes Aaron Santis and his work with Senior Planet and congratulates him on his LBA Businessperson of the Year 2025. Stop by the center and wish him well and suggest a class you might like to take. He’ll listen to you!
Aaron and Jessie can be reached at the Senior Planet center: 7585 E. Academy Blvd 720-328-0875.
Meet Your Lowry Neighbors is a monthly feature written by our intrepid reporter Sally Kurtzman, who knows everyone in our community. If you have a suggestion for a Meet Your Lowry Neighbors, please send us an email to connect@lowryunitedneighborhoods.org.