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www.byteback.org | 202.529.3395
able of ContentsC City
ouncilmembers Speak
Byte Back Graduates
uccess Story: Ezequiel
e la Guardia
ome Words from Our
udents
udent Profile: Kenneth
ross
olunteer of the Month:
chael Johnson
ve Questions with an
structor: Faith Nwaoha
yte Backs New Board
embers
pcoming Events
olunteer Opportunities
Byte Backs Online Newsletter | August 2013
INFO - BITS
By: Neil Rickard and Jessica Bates
Though Byte Backs August graduation
signaled the end of the summer term, it
marked the beginning of new opportuni-
ties for many of our graduates. It also
featured many prestigious guests, in-
cluding Councilmembers Muriel Bowser
and Tommy Wells as well as represent-
atives from the Office of the Chief Tech-
nology Officer, The Morris & Gwendo-
lyn Cafritz Foundation, and StreetWise
Partners.
The graduation featured this years
Golden Mouse Awards, which recognize the contributions of this years exce
tional students, volunteers, and partners. We at Byte Back were lucky to wo
with many amazing people this year, and it was a challenge to pick this year
winners. The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation won our Foundation Partn
of the Year award, particularly for their support for our newest program, Fir
Time Technology. The Office of the Chief Technology Officer was awarded th
Golden Mouse for Government Partner of the Year for saving our spring term
and Accenture was awarded Corporate Partner of the Year for their consiste
support throughout the year on volunteer projects and tutoring. StreetWise Parners won our Nonprofit Partner of the Year award for consistently supporting ou
students, championing their successe
and inviting Byte Back to partner wi
them at volunteer events. Simon Ye
won Volunteer of the Year for his ama
ing work as a Byte Back intern last wi
ter. The Student of the Year awa
went to Rahel Yacob for successfu
completing six classes this year alon
Ms. Yacob is currently excelling in hseventh class -- our A+ Certificatio
Training Program.
This was also the last graduation f
most of this years AmeriCorps volu
teers, many of whom served as instru
tors to the graduates. Director of Volunteer Services Ashley Luttmer spoke abo
their accomplishments throughout the year. Sharon Lee and Deborah Wrigh
DC City Councilmembers Speak to Byte Back Graduates
Connued
Councilmember Muriel Bowser addresses the crow
Councilmember Tommy Wells congratulates the
recent graduates.
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participants in the Enterprise D.C. program showcased their
businesses in presentations they developed during their
classes at Byte Back.
The featured speakers at the event were Councilmembers
Muriel Bowser and Tommy Wells. Councilmember Bowser
congratulated the crowd on their accomplishments, and
spoke about the important role that longtime D.C. residentsare playing in the citys economic growth. Byte Back offers
D.C. residents the training they need to invest in their futures
and the future of their city. Councilmember Wells spoke
about the impact that new technology is having on todays
economy, noting that you cant get away from computers.
He closed by applauding the audience for refusing to be left
behind in a new economy.
Speaker Kenneth Gross, a graduate of Byte Backs A+ Certification course, gave his own perspective
the citys economic situation [read more about Kenneth on page #]. He described his efforts to devel
himself at Byte Back after struggling through the difficulties of a career change. Kenneth told the audien
about how critical the support of his classmates have been in his success. He touted the benefits of ha
ing interned at the new First Time Technology location and described the new doors of opportunity ope
ing before him.
As the ceremony came to a close, Kelley Ellsworth took the stage. She encouraged the crowd to take
more classes, stressing that learning is a lifelong thing and that the most important lesson that we at
Byte Back can teach each other is that its never too late too learn. The Byte Back graduation celebrated
the end of summer classes, but it also celebrated the beginning of a new chapter of learning for all the st
dents there.
Congratulations to our summer graduates!
Student of the Year Rahel Yacob receives her Golden
Mouse Award.
Byte Backs 2013 graduates
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Success Story: Ezequiel de la GuardiaAUGUST 2013 INFO-BITS
www.byteback.org | 202.529.3395
By: Lorena Holguin and Jessica Bates
Ezequiel de la Guardia believes it was fate that brought him
to Byte Back in 2011. He was walking down a street in his
neighborhood and came across a Byte Back flyer that had
fallen onto the sidewalk. He picked it up and realized that it
was exactly what he had been looking for. Though hed al-
ways wanted to learn more about computers, he had al-
ways found language to be too much of a barrier. Byte
Backs Spanish-language classes were a perfect match.
Mr. de la Guardia enrolled in our PC for Beginners course
that summer. He initially found computers confusing and
overwhelming. Soon after enrolling at Byte Back, he got a
job with Neighbors Consejo, which kept him too busy to
continue with his classes. However, he never forgot his ex-
perience at Byte Back and he knew he needed to go back and finish his course.
He re-enrolled at Byte Back in the fall of 2012. This time, he was ready. His teacher Lisvette was pa-
tient and respectful, and gave him the time he needed to become comfortable with the computer. He
soon passed PC for Beginners 1 and 2 and then moved on to Office Track. According to him there are
two main factors that made him successful: his desire to learn and his relationship with his teachers
He was inspired by his teachers commitment to their students
Because of the new computer skills, Neighbors Consejo has given him more responsibilities and
work. Mr. de la Guardia also feels more respected by his friends and co -workers, and hes constantly
referring them to Byte Back.
At our August graduation, Mr. de la Guardia gave a presentation on his native country of Peru with the
assistance of a translator. The dynamic, informative, and often funny presentation was a highlight o
the graduation. But he hasnt finished learning -- his new goal is to improve his English so he can take
more classes. Mr. de la Guardia wants his daughters, grandchildren, and everyone to know that its
never too late to learn and that Byte Back is a great place to start.
Spanish Version
By: Lorena Holguin
Ezequiel de la Guardia empez tomando clases en Byte Back en el 2011. Fue una gran coinciden-
cia que me entere de este programa. Estaba caminando en la calle cuando vi en el suelo un pan-
fleto de Byte Back, fue como cado del cielo. Era justo lo que yo necesitaba, pero porque no se mu-
cho ingles nunca pude encontrar la oportunidad de aprender.
Ezequiel tom la clase ms bsica de Byte Back, PC para Principiantes en espaol en el verano
del 2011. Al principio me sent perdido y confundido porque esa fue la primera vez que tuve contac-
to con una computadora. Habian estudiantes en la clase que ya saban que es lo que tenan que
hacer pero yo nunca haba trabajado con una computadora, no solo eso, tambien tuve que volver a
aprender cmo se aprende.
Ezequiel de la Guardia
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Connu
Some Words from Our StudentsAt the end of class, each student fills out a survey. Below are some responses from students who par-
ticipated in our spring classes.
Byte Back is AWESOME!!I love the energy at Byte Back and the teachers. My teachers did not take no for an answer andmade me understand everything that I was doing.That computer is a godsend. Awesome, thank you!I hope they never stop this program because they are enabling people. If you're not computer savvynow you're not going to get a job sweeping the floor! I think it's a great tool for anybody, old or
Despus de ese primer contacto con Byte Back, Ezequiel empez a trabajar con el Neighbors Con-
sejo, a pesar de todo, l saba que apenas haba visto la superficie de esta nueva etapa de aprendi-
zaje en su vida. De modo que en el otoo del 2012 se volvi a inscribir a la clase para principiantes
en Espaol.
Esta segunda sesin con Byte Back fue donde l pudo aprender ms: Recuerdo mi primer da con
las seorita Lisvette, recuerdo que ella tuvo paciencia y respeto para la clases. Esa fue la primera
vez que pude aprender por m mismo una buena forma de aprender las cosas.
Ezequiel continu tomando clases con Byte Back hasta llegar a la clase de trayectoria Profesional,
en esta clase las cosas que aprendimos eran mucho ms serias, asi que decidi volver a tomar esa
clase para poder reafirmar todo lo que aprend
As que con una gran determinacin de aprender todo lo que Byte Back tena que ensear Ezequiel
retom la clase de Trayectoria Profesional. Segn l hay dos factores bsicos que hicieron esta
clase la ms transformativa: el deseo de uno de seguir aprendiendo y la qumica que ocurre en la
clase, entre maestros y estudiantes. La calidad del trabajo que Byte Back da a la comunidad y los
maestros a sus estudiantes se han vuelto una fuente de inspiracin para m. La segunda vez que
tome la clase de Trayectoria Profesional realmente me mostr que la dedicacin de Byte Back es
universal.
Gracias a las destrezas que Ezequiel obtuvo en Byte Back, Neighbors Consejo (su trabajo) le da
ms responsabilidades y trabajo. Tambin siento que se me respeta ms como persona. Mis jefes
me dan ms respeto. Cada vez que yo aprenda algo nuevo en Byte Back, ms gente quera saber
de este programa.
As que mientras se prepara para dar su discurso en nuestra ceremonia de graduacin de verano
del 2013 de Byte Back, Ezequiel se mantiene muy agradecido hacia la organizacin. No tengo
palabras para agradecerles todo el apoyo que me han dado, prometo aprender Ingls para podertomar ms clases con ustedes. Ezequiel quisiera que sus hijas, nietos y miembros de la comunidad
sepan que la educacin siempre puede continuar y que Byte Back es un gran lugar para empezar
de nuevo. Si pudiera inspirar un estudiante (futuro o actual) como asistente al maestro o dar
plticas acerca de Byte Back y lograr que tomen una clase, se que los estare ayudando a entrar a
una etapa de gran regocijo en sus vidas.
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www.byteback.org | 202.529.3395
Student Spotlight: Kenneth Gross
Connued
By: Jessica Bates
People come to Byte Back for different reasons, but every student wants to im-
prove their circumstances. When Kenneth Gross arrived at Byte Back, he was
already employed as an administrative assistant for the Department of Veterans
Affairs. Though he worked in the IT department, he didnt have the certifications
he needed to advance to a more specialized position.
Mr. Gross had tried A+ certification training programs in the past, but he never
felt motivated or prepared enough to take the A+ exam. He was referred to Byte
Back by another nonprofit, and after learning more about the program from Di-
rector of Certification Carine Umuzayire and Registrar Francisco Vasquez, he
signed up for our A+ Certification Training Program.
Though many of our students qualify for free or low-cost classes, Mr. Gross invested his own money
towards the Byte Back tuition. The thing I got at Byte Back that other programs were not able to give
me was a small classroom setting where everyone is like a family and where I was able to get direct
attention, he said.
young.Byte Back is the best program I have learned a lot from Byte Back. After Byte Back, my son wasdiagnosed with blood cancer. But with him being sick, Byte Back helped me to keep pushing. Be-fore I went to Byte Back and finished two classes, I didn't have my high school diploma. Now inJune the 18th of 2013, I have completed and received my high school diploma. So thank you, ByteBack.OMG I loved Andrew, I wish I could get him again. So patient, actually taking time with each andevery one of us to sit with us to make sure we understood. I just want to say thank you. I'm overwhelmed that you guys are able to offer free classes. Youguys open the door for us to catch up with the world. Keep it up. You have some of the best teachers there who are willing to help students learn how to operatecomputers, you have a beautiful picnic every year with plenty of food and plenty of things to dosuch as taking classes, and things for kids to do. We can't ask for more. We appreciate the teach-ers the most, because they really make sure that you got it. I appreciate that and the time and at-
tention that they take to find out what are people thinking.
Byte Back has really been a blessing to me it has raised my confidence in the technology world,and I am able to help others because of Byte Back.You are doing a great job providing a much needed service. I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all for the job that are being done to help us to pursue our
dreams. I will be forever grateful. I have already pledge in my heart to support Byte Back financially
whenever I am able to.
Kenneth Gross
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Connue
By: Ashley Luttmer
Michael Johnson has been an active participant in the Byte Back community since he
first volunteered last spring. As the director of information systems at Industrial Bank,
he had advanced IT skills, but Byte Back gave him the opportunity to teach. He
taught an early morning workshop on phishing at Community Computer Day, which
was highly informative and well-received by attendees. That afternoon, he sheltered
his daughter from the rain with his umbrella as she painted childrens faces.
In June, he taught the evening section of the Online Tools course for the Enterprise
DC program. He has been a special guest speaker for the A+ Certification Program,
and hes spent several class periods sharing his experience and career advice with
the A+ students. Most recently, he tutored two students at the July session of the monthly Job Seeker
Boot Camp. In addition to his willingness to teach students in a variety of settings, Michaels kindness
and suggestions for improving services in the future have been invaluable.
We are so appreciative of all the effort Michael has put forth for Byte Back. He says, The appreciation
of the students has to be the most rewarding aspect of volunteering with Byte Back....that makes it all
worthwhile. Thank you for your hard work, Michael!
Volunteer of the Month: Michael Johnson
Interview by: Alaide Vilchis Ibarra
Q; What has been your favorite moment as a Byte Back instructor?
A: It was teaching the PC for Beginners for Seniors class. I loved watching them
improve throughout the class. It ended right around Christmas and that was
when we finished learning email attachments. All of my students were really ex-
cited because they could share family photos.
Q: What is your favorite lesson or concept to teach, and why?
Five Questions with an Instructor: Faith Nwaoha
After completing the program, he felt so prepared to take the exam that he decided to take it a fe
weeks early. He became certified on June 28 and he was even a featured speaker at Byte Backs Jul
graduation. Mr. Gross is already reaping the benefits of his new credentials. After passing the certifica
tion test, I received an email from my supervisor saying that I would immediately be put to train wit
the IT employees. I am very excited to soon be applying for an IT specialist position, Mr. Gross said
Soon, hell be doing the kind of work hes been curious about for years. Hes even encouraging his so
to take the A+ Certification Program.
Since taking my A+ class at Byte Back I started fixing computers for friends and family on the side
Mr. Gross said. Pretty soon I was getting requests from a lot more people from church and other plac
es! Im thinking after I retire from my government job that I will start a family computer repair business.
We hope to see Mr. Gross around Byte Back again soon!
Michael Johnson
Faith Nwaoha
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Connued
Byte Backs New Board Members
A: I think my favorite lesson to teach was the eCommerce/Online Tools class section of shopping
carts and payment mechanisms. People were very interested because most people shop online so
they were curious to see what goes on behind the scenes.
Q: What do you like best about living in the D.C. area?
A: I liked the free stuff. Those museums are outrageously exciting!
Q: What do you most hope to convey to the students you work with?
A: I taught students in different age groups. What I wanted seniors to learn is the fact that you never
stop learning. It may take a while longer to learn something but that doesnt mean you cant learn it.
For younger students, I wanted to convey a sense of accountability and responsibility. Most of them
eventually understood this and started self-studying to take tests they found challenging.
Q: What is your favorite website? Why?
A; My favorite website is www.cnn.com because it keeps me posted on what is going on around the
world. I used it a lot in teaching PC for Beginners and eCommerce classes.
Ingeborg HoltIngeborg currently works at Booz Allen Hamilton as an associate supporting thehealthcare market. Her professional background includes working as a consultantfor Oracle, and earlier, as a software engineer for the National Institutes of Healthand the Institute for Genomic Research. Ingeborg grew up outside of Philadelphiaand holds a B.A. in Biology and an M.S. in Computer Science. Ingeborg is excitedto contribute to Byte Back's mission and make a lasting difference in the lives andcareers of D.C. area residents.
Edan Lichtenstein
Edan comes to Byte Back after serving for the past four years as a board mem-ber for First Time Computers, the last two as the board vice president. As part ofthe FTC leadership, Edan used his background in national politics and technolo-gy to make an impactful and immediate difference at the local level. Edan beganhis work on bridging the digital divide when he was working as a legislative assis-tant for Congressman John Lewis while earning a computer science graduate de-gree at George Washington University. He is excited to continue this work withByte Back and use technology to help more people in the city.
Edan is now building a website development and content strategy consultancy shop Ruckt - withan emphasis on creating an appealing and focused narrative that captures attention and leads to a
desired action and a stronger brand. He earned his bachelors degree from Cornell University.William J. McBorrough IV
William J. McBorrough IV is an information assurance and cyber security leader with anextensive background managing, designing, and implementing physical and informationtechnology security solutions and programs. He also serves as member, technical advi-sor and board member to a number of organizations including security technical ven-dors, industry groups and nonprofits promoting STEM education and training.Mr. McBorrough is a firm believer in education as the ultimate key to success. He is on
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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 cmosco-
so@byteback.orgor by calling (202) 529-3395.
Upcoming Events
"Volunteering is the most effective means to give back to your community and to continue to developthe human spirit."
- Ted Frazier, Byte Back Instructor
Volunteer Opportunies
www.byteback.org | 202.529.3395
AUGUST 2013 INFO-BITS
the faculty of various universities including University of Maryland University College and EC -CouncilUniversity where he conducts research and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses. He holdsa Bachelor of Science in Computing Engineering with a concentration in digital networks and a Mas-ter of Science in Information Security and Assurance from George Mason University. He also holdsprofessional and security certifications including Certified Information Systems Security Professional(CISSP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified in Risk Information System Control(CRISC), and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).Lawrence Mercker
Lawrence Mercker is a native of Lafayette, Indiana. He holds a BFA Degree in VisualCommunications, a masters degree in education, and a masters degree in politicalscience. After serving for 30 years as an instructor pilot, evaluator pilot, director ofsafety, and assistant director of operations, he retired from the US Air Force in 2002at the rank of Colonel. He then converted his pilot and management experience into asecond career with US Airways Airline based at Reagan National Airport. In 2010, heretired from aviation and co-founded a consulting business, Strategic ExecutiveCoaching, based in Atlanta GA.
Since 2010, Lawrence has worked as a volunteer with nonprofits in DC and as a substitute teacher
with the DC public school system. He sees this opportunity to serve on the Byte Back Board as agreat way for successful professionals to help their community.
Dorothy WeissDorothy is a seasoned nonprofit professional with expertise in philanthropy,the nonprofit sector, and public policy. Currently an independent consultant,she has served as an executive director, development director, and communi-cations specialist at both the community and national levels. Among other po-sitions, she led a regional association of grantmakers for ten years and di-rected fundraising and capacity building at two national policy organizations.Dorothy has a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard and a Bachelor
of Arts from Cornell University. After years in the policy world, she is thrilled tobe joining the board of a direct-service organization making a tangible difference in D.C. residentslives.
Leslie TorbettLeslie Torbett is the director of recruiting at Acentia, which provides technology and managementsolutions to the federal government and commercial markets. She has a BA in business administra-tion and management from Mary Washington College. As an experienced talent acquisition leader,Leslie brings a nuanced understanding of todays job market to the Byte Back Board.
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About Byte BackFounded 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 Edu-
cational Licensure Commission as a postsecondary educational institution.
b t b k | 202 529 3395
AUGUST 2013 INFO-BITS
If you're interested in volunteering with Byte Back, please contact Ashley Luttmer, Byte Backs
director of volunteer services, at aluttmer@byteback.orgor (202) 529-3395.
mailto:kjohnson@byteback.orgmailto:aluttmer@byteback.orgmailto:aluttmer@byteback.orgmailto:aluttmer@byteback.orgmailto:kjohnson@byteback.orghttp://www.nonprofitadvancement.org/PostAward2010http://www.catalogueforphilanthropy-dc.org/cfpdc/nonprofit-detail.php?id=94481