INFO - BITS

Byte Backs Online Newsletter | July 2013 Table of Contents

Success Story: Clark Scott

By: Jessica Bates Four years ago, Clark Scott lost his job with the D.C. government as part of a reduction in force just three months before he was due to retire. Despite his 24 years of experience and his outstanding employee record, Mr. Scott found himself back on the job market in a tough economy. In order to claim the full retirement benefits that he had earned during his career, Mr. Scott immediately began a search for a new government job. Early in his job search, he was optimistic that his qualifications would allow him to find the type Clark Scott of job he needed. After more than three years of continuous searching, however, he knew he needed to make a change. I had plenty of interviews but I was never able to get the job, he said. So I thought, I need to get some certifications. So I took A+. Mr. Scott took Byte Backs A+ Certification Program last summer and successfully passed both A+ exams. Along with this new certification, Mr. Scott sought advice from H.Y. Griffin, Byte Backs employment specialist, on his job search process and on updating his resume. Griffin seemed really invested in my job search, He said. She listened to what I actually needed. His hard work paid off this spring when he got a job as the IT Specialist for the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Service Department. He was chosen out of hundreds of applicants for the position. In his new position, Mr. Scott ensures that the computers in the Districts emergency vehicles are working properly. These computers serve as a critical resource to emergency personnel all over the city, providing support such as helping EMS workers properly diagnose their patients. Basically I manage the majority of the equipment on the ambulances, fire engines, medic units, the database, the electronic patient database -- everything, he said. If any of this technology stops working properly, technicians have to use paper checklists, which slows down their response time. By ensuring that the government equipment is working properly. Mr. Scott helps keep D.C. residents safe. Mr. Scott has been working hard for over four months at his new position, but he hasnt forgotten about Byte Back. In fact, he says he hopes to come back here for further professional development. We look forward to seeing him and wish him the best of luck in his new position!

Success Story: Clark Scott

Volunteers of the Year: AmeriCorps

Department of Labor Official Visits Byte Backs Job Seekers Club

Cheers to Our Volunteers!

Technology Review: Lemon Wallet

Enterprise DC Participants Pitch Their Business Plans

Student Spotlight: Kiana Rucker

Five Questions with an Instructor: Alaide Vilches Ibarra

Upcoming Events Volunteer Opportunities

www.byteback.org | 202.529.3395

JULY 2013 INFO-BITS

Volunteers of the Year: AmeriCorps

By: Ashley Luttmer Every AmeriCorps member must be passionate, dedicated, and self-motivated in order to commit to a period of intensive community service. They are provided with a small living stipend that allows them to volunteer fulltime within their communities. This year, thirteen AmeriCorps members converged at Byte Back to dedicate 1,700 hours each over 11 months to closing the digital divide. Our AmeriCorps members are usually the face of Byte Back. If you are a Byte Back student, you probably had an AmeriCorps volunteer for an instructor. Even if you didnt, an AmeriCorps volunteer may have helped you register for your class, answered your questions at the office, tutored you, or proctored your exam. Behind the scenes, these volunteers wrote curricula; designed class exercises; translated materials; organized events like Community Computer Day and graduations; reached out to potential students, volunteers, and supporters; set up our First Time Technology location; and more. Their hard work has made Byte Back a stronger and more inclusive institution.

We also benefited this year from the efforts of two Public Allies who were dedicated to building capacity. Throughout the year, Celia Burke worked with Director of Certification Carine Umuzayire and Employment Specialist H.Y. Griffin to improve the employment readiness services offered to our students. She created and taught a job skills section of the IC3 class, researched and compiled information on different IT career pathways, and lead the monthly Job Seekers Club. Erica Heller worked on volunteer coordination and services. She trained and supervised evening instructors and tutors throughout the year, recruited new volunteers, and planned several fabulous volunteer appreciation events. The behind-the-scenes work that Celia and Erica have done dramatically improved Byte Backs ability to serve the community. Of course, the majority of the members time is spent teaching computer classes. Over the year, these volunteers have taught a wide range of classes: PC for Beginners 1 & 2, Office Track, Online Tools, Web Design, Access, Quickbooks, Graphic Design, IC3, PC Hardware, and A+. All the members came to their classes with patience, enthusiasm, and respect for their students. Although they had varied backgrounds with technology and teaching, each member worked hard to ensure that their students would master the material and have a good experience. The impact theyve made is evident in our end-of-course evaluation, where nearly all students report that they are interested in pursuing further computer education and many take the opportunity to praise their instructors. Here are a few recent comments:

The AmeriCorps volunteers of 2012/2013: Neil Rickard, Scott Ryan, Alaide Vilchis Ibarra, Lydia Vanderbilt, Lisvette Garcia, Lorena Holguin, Andrew Quilpa, Andrea Mack, and Cherise Graves. Not pictured: Faith Nwaoha, David Foster, Celia Burke, and Erica Heller

www.byteback.org | 202.529.3395

JULY 2013 INFO-BITS

Our instructor is outstanding! He is very informative and not intimidating. Thank you for a patient and skilled instructor. I appreciate my teacher being so kind and patient with me and making me feel confident. I had a great time and Im looking forward to coming back and going as far as I can. My instructor was very patient, tolerant, and understanding. Thank you to Lydia, Andrea, Erica, Lisvette, Neil, Lorena, David, Celia, Alaide, Faith, Cherise, Scott, and Andrew for a great year. Well miss your vibrant personalities, your thoughtfulness, and your kindness.

Department of Labor Official Visits Byte Backs Job Seekers Club

By: Jessica Bates Anyone who has been unemployed knows how difficult it is to stay motivated and optimistic while searching for a job. Its important for job seekers to have a strong support network, which is why job clubs are a vital part of any job search. Byte Backs Job Seekers Club allows our students to share resources, advise each other, and provide moral support throughout their search. On Thursday, June 20, a crowd of Byte Back students attended a Job Seekers Club meeting at Catholic University that featured a special guest speaker.
Ben Seigel advises the Byte Back Job Seekers Club. Ben Seigel, Deputy Director of the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Department of Labor, spoke about job clubs around the country and in the D.C. area in particular. He emphasized what an important support job clubs are for job seekers, because looking for a job can be demoralizing. These organizations are a great way for members to network, share job leads, and build relationships. While many people see the application process as a solo activity, members of these groups can take a supportive, team approach. If one member finds a job lead that doesnt interest them, they can pass it along to another member. The group can also stay motivated by celebrating each others

Continued www.byteback.org | 202.529.3395

JULY 2013 INFO-BITS

successes, such as getting an interview or landing a job. Job clubs can also work together, and most clubs welcome visiting members from other organizations. Ben Seigels advice will help to strengthen Byte Back Job Seekers Club and help current job seekers better use available resources. Although the Byte Back Job Seekers Club is currently staff-run, many job clubs benefit from student leadership. We need students who are willing to take the lead on any aspect of the club that interests them. Students can spread the word, create flyers, schedule events, find interesting speakers, or simply take notes and share them with other members. This is a great way to become more involved in the club and learn about other local resources. If you would like to take a lead in the club, please contact H.Y. Griffin at hgriffin@byteback.org or by calling (202) 529-2295. Click here to read the Department of Labors article on this meeting.

Cheers to Our Volunteers!

By: Ashley Luttmer At the second annual Cheers to Our Volunteers event, the contributions of Byte Backs most dedicated volunteers and donors were celebrated with food, drinks, music, and a toast. Despite threatening weather, dozens of volunteers, supporters, and staff gathered at the Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital (which is also a Byte Back class site!) in Eastern Market on June 18th. Erica Heller, outgoing volunteer coordinator and Public Ally, organized the event (even designing the invitations and thank you cards). Her hard work culminated in a fun, relaxing evening for everyone who attended. Development Associate Cristina Moscoso said, "Last year, when I was an AmeriCorps instructor Volunteers gathered at the Hill Center. for Byte Back, the Cheers to Our Volunteers event was by far my favorite. Once again, this event proved to be one of the highlights of my year! Cheers to Our Volunteers is an important moment for our volunteers, board members, and staff to relax and celebrate the years achievements. Everyone can share their stories and their thanks for those who supported them throughout the year. We want to thank all who attended, and we look forward to our next year together!

Technology Review: Lemon Wallet

By: Francisco Vasquez Lemon Wallet is an application that allows you to save digitized copies of all your cards, such as your drivers license, debit card, credit card, insurance cards, or any card that you would normally keep in your wallet. All you have to do is take a photo of the cards you wish to save, and Lemon Wallet stores them in your phone. With Lemon Wallet, you can access your cards anytime and anywhere you take your phone. If your wallet is misplaced, lost, or stolen, youll still be able to access all of the information that you need.
Continued www.byteback.org | 202.529.3395

JULY 2013 INFO-BITS

If youre worried about the security of your cards, Lemon Wallet safely stores and encrypts your data and a PIN code is required to access your cards (make sure that you are using the official Lemon Wallet application or website when you log in). Lemon Wallet is free, but some of the features do require a monthly fee. Some features of Lemon Wallet include connecting your cards with your bank to check balances and transactions, personalized rewards based on your spending habits, storing receipts for tax purposes, and the Lost Wallet Services, where a Lemon agent will help you cancel your payment cards. The app is available for iPhones, Androids, and Window Phones, so if youre looking for a way to back up your wallet, download the basic Lemon Wallet application at no cost.

Enterprise DC Participants Pitch Their Business Plans

By: Andrew Quilpa It was 6:00 p.m. on June 26, 2013 in the John A. Wilson Building, the Districts City Hall. A winding marble staircase led to room 120, a room reserved for public hearings and other legislative gatherings. Beyond glass walls and flanked by flags of red, white, and blue, a small crowd gathered to talk business. But rather than amendments and appeals, inspiration and innovation were to be the highlights of the nights event, the first ever Enterprise DC Business Plan Pitch Night. The Pitch Night was itself a milestone for the Enterprise DC program, an innovative pilot program implemented by Byte Back and the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) this past fall. The yearlong entrepreneurship training program provides free computer training, financial advice, a business plan support, business mentoring and loan assistance to support participants efforts to turn a hobby or skill Participants and guest speakers shared their experiinto a profitable business. The pitch night allowed those in the ences with small business in D.C. program to practice presenting their business pitches in a safe and supportive environment. Sharon Lee pitched her idea for providing activities to seniors, Abena Disaroe will facilitate better community development discussions, and Anson Joyce will provide high -quality security consulting. Among the two dozen student entrepreneurs, WACIF and Byte Back staff and instructors, and special guests gathered, one student entrepreneur was sifting through her notes. "I'm nervous, Donna Daniels remarked with a little nervous chuckle, I really dont like speaking in front of people! As luck would have it she would be the first to give her practice pitch. I cant believe it! she exclaimed, as she hurried to gather her things. Despite her earlier nervousness, Donna received a wave of support from her fellow classmates and instructors. She went on to confidently deliver her business pitch describing her wedding planning business, using both handouts and a PowerPoint presentation she had made. She thanked Byte Back and WACIF for the training she had received to make it all possible. Every student brought passion, ambition, and expertise to their presentations. It was clear to everyone there that these students have worked hard and developed skills that will bring many successful, much-needed businesses to the Washington D.C. area.
www.byteback.org | 202.529.3395

Student Spotlight: Kiana Rucker

By: Lydia Vanderbilt, AmeriCorps Instructor Kiana Rucker has been on a mission to move forward with her life. As a mother she has been focused on setting the right example for her teenage daughter. She signed up for GED classes at Southeast Ministry, a Byte Back partner site, at the end of 2010. As she progressed through the program the staff at Southeast Ministry saw the potential in her and told her about the computer courses offered through Byte Back. When asked why she decided to take the class, Kiana said "I always wanted to learn computer skills...and thought it was good for me. I worked in an office setting before and I wanted to know more. Any job that you have [now] it would be good to know about computers." From the first time I met Kiana, I could tell she would be a great student. She was upKiana Rucker beat, personable, positive, and encouraging with her peers. Her first AmeriCorps instructor Alaide Ibarra had similar things to say, "Kiana is the kind of student that every teacher wants to have. She is dedicated, eager to learn, and does it all with a smile." Through hard work and dedication Kiana has successfully completed all of the courses she has started. She received her GED in June, after completing all of her necessary coursework and passing the final exam. She completed PC for Beginners 2 in March and Office Track with Byte Back in July of 2013. In class, it was clear why she has accomplished so much. Kiana has all of the characteristics of a model student: she is always on time, works hard, takes notes, and is highly organized. When asked about her computer classes Kiana said "I loved [them]! [They were] very informative and I've learned a lot. And I would really like to take more computer classes further down the line. It was a great experience!" Kiana's next steps are to reenter the workforce. She plans on working with the resources at Byte Back and SEM to work on her resume, practice her interviewing skills, search for jobs, and set up interviews. I agree with Alaide, who said, Kianas resilience and willingness to work will take her very far and Im excited to see what is next for her."

Five Questions with an Instructor: Alaide Vilchis Ibarra

Interview by: Lorena Holguin Q: What has been your favorite moment as a Byte Back instructor? A: My favorite moment was when people brought me food -- no Im just kidding! To be honest, its not a moment, its a conglomerate of moments that happen. [For example,] when my students start the classes really slow and scared of computers and then build their confidence. I love it when they start seeing how smart they really are, but no one really took the time to teach them. I also really like how they never notice how far they have gone and learned in such a small amount of time.
Alaide Vilchis Ibarra Q: What is your favorite lesson or concept to teach, and why? A: I think that one of my favorite concepts to teach is Google, because Google knows everything. [They see] they can find anything from information about tigers to more advanced tasks like learning how to manage or open a program. Its the process of self-teaching and learning and it blows their minds.

Q: What do you like best about living in the D.C. area? A: Its a two-part thing that I really like about D.C.: one of them is by far the amount of people that live here

Continued

JULY 2013 INFO-BITS

who care and are involved or really informed about politics and policy and love them. Also I love all the things that are available to do around the city for free. Q: What do you most hope to convey to the students you work with? A: I think that one of the things I want to convey to my students is the fact that we all have to take responsibility for our learning, [and] that learning can be fun if you are willing to put in the fun. Even though the process can be boring it will always take you to places which will make any effort to learn, worth everything. Q: What advice would you want to be remembered by? A: I would tell people something that someone I worked with taught me: you can have very strong opinions and have a very specific point of view, and still be kind to others by voicing it because at the end of the day we are all people (I still work on this every day). I would like that to be part of my legacy. Also, [I want to be remembered as] someone who can provide some sort of comic relief. I think the ability to laugh at yourself and with others is very valuable regardless of the situation. I also would like to be seen as a person who believes in positive change.

Upcoming Events

Tours of Byte Back Would you like a guided tour of Byte Back? For more information and to arrange a tour, please contact Development Associate Cristina Moscoso at cmoscoso@byteback.org or by calling (202) 529-3395.

Volunteer Opportunities
"Volunteering is the most effective means to give back to your community and to continue to develop the human spirit." - Ted Frazier, volunteer instructor If you're interested in volunteering with Byte Back, please contact Ashley Luttmer, Byte Backs director of volunteer services, at aluttmer@byteback.org or (202) 529-3395.

About Byte Back

Founded in 1997, Byte Back seeks to improve economic opportunity in the Washington, D.C. area by providing computer literacy and job training for disadvantaged communities. Byte Back offers courses ranging from basic computer literacy to Microsoft Office to internationally recognized computer certification preparation. Byte Back is licensed by the DC Educational Licensure Commission as a postsecondary educational institution.

www.byteback.org | 202.529.3395