Info-Bits July 2013

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www.byteback.org | 202.529.3395

able of Contentsuccess Story: Clark

cott

olunteers of the Year:

meriCorps

epartment of Labor

fficial Visits Byte

acks Job Seekers

ub

heers to Our

olunteers!

echnology Review:

emon Wallet

nterprise DC

articipants Pitch Their

usiness Plans

udent Spotlight: Kiana

ucker

ve Questions with an

structor: Alaide Vilches

arra

pcoming Events

olunteer Opportunities

Byte Backs Online Newsletter | July 2013

INFO - BITS

Success Story: Clark ScottBy: Jessica Bates

Four years ago, Clark Scott lost his job with the

D.C. government as part of a reduction in forcejust three months before he was due to retire. De-

spite his 24 years of experience and his outstand-

ing 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 imme-

diately 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 typeof 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 ac-

tually needed. His hard work paid off this spring when he got a job as the IT Special-ist 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 emer-

gency 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 thatthe 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 has-

nt 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!

Clark Sco
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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2JULY 2013 INFO-BITS


Volunteers of the Year: AmeriCorpsBy: Ashley Luttmer

Every AmeriCorps member must be passionate, dedicat-

ed, 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 full-

time within their communities. This year, thirteenAmeriCorps members converged at Byte Back to dedi-

cate 1,700 hours each over 11 months to closing the dig-

ital 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 thescenes, 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 in-

clusive 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 readi-

ness 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 tu-

tors 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 volun-

teers 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 stu-

dents 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


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Contnuedwww.byteback.org | 202.529.3395

JULY 2013 INFO-BITS


Department of Labor Official Visits Byte Backs Job Seekers Club

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 An-

drew for a great year. Well miss your vibrant personalities, your thoughtfulness, and your kindness.

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 anyjob search. Byte Backs Job Seekers Club al-

lows 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, Deputy Director of the Center for

Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Department of Labor, spoke about job clubs around the coun-

try 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, mem-

bers 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

Ben Seigel advises the Byte Back Job Seekers Club.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Technology Review: Lemon Wallet

Contnued

successes, such as getting an interview or landing a job. Job clubs can also work together, and most clubs wel-

come 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 leader-

ship. 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 localresources. If you would like to take a lead in the club, please contact H.Y. Griffin at [email protected]

by calling (202) 529-2295.

Click here to read the Department of Labors article on this meeting.

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 mis-

placed, lost, or stolen, youll still be able to access all of the information that you need.

By: Ashley Luttmer

At the second annual Cheers to Our Volunteers event, the con-

tributions of Byte Backs most dedicated volunteers and donors

were celebrated with food, drinks, music, and a toast. Despitethreatening 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

for Byte Back, theCheers 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 volun-

teers, 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!

Cheers to Our Volunteers!

Volunteers gathered at the Hill Center.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.dol.gov/_sec/newsletter/2013/20130627.htm%23.Ue2J1LXVA84http://www.dol.gov/_sec/newsletter/2013/20130627.htm%23.Ue2J1LXVA84http://www.dol.gov/_sec/newsletter/2013/20130627.htm%23.Ue2J1LXVA84mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Enterprise DC Participants Pitch Their Business PlansBy: 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 oth-

er legislative gatherings. Beyond glass walls and flanked byflags 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 train-

ing program provides free computer training, financial advice,

a business plan support, business mentoring and loan assis-

tance to support participants efforts to turn a hobby or skillinto a profitable business. The pitch night allowed those in the

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 wifacilitate better community development discussions, and Anson Joyce will provide high-quality security consul

ing.

Among the two dozen student entrepreneurs, WACIF and Byte Back staff and instructors, and special gues

gathered, one student entrepreneur was sifting through her notes. "I'm nervous, Donna Daniels remarked with little nervous chuckle, I really dont like speaking in front of people! As luck would have it she would be th

first to give her practice pitch. I cant believe it! she ex

claimed, as she hurried to gather her things. Despite her ear

lier nervousness, Donna received a wave of support from hefellow classmates and instructors. She went on to confiden

ly deliver her business pitch describing her wedding planning business, using both handouts and a PowerPoin

presentation she had made. She thanked Byte Back anWACIF for the training she had received to make it all pos

sible.Every student brought passion, ambition, and expertise t

their presentations. It was clear to everyone there that thesstudents have worked hard and developed skills that wi

bring many successful, much-needed businesses to th

Washington D.C. area.

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 web

site when you log in). Lemon Wallet is free, but some of the features do require a monthly fee. Some features o

Lemon Wallet include connecting your cards with your bank to check balances and transac

tions,personalizedrewards based on your spending habits, storing receipts for tax purposes, and the Lost Walle

Services, where a Lemon agent will help you cancel yourpayment cards. The app is available for iPhones, An

droids, and Window Phones, so if youre looking for a way to back up your wallet, download the basic Lemon

Wallet application at no cost.

Participants and guest speakers shared their experi-

ences with small business in D.C.


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6Student 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 up-

beat, personable, positive, and encouraging with her peers. Her first AmeriCorps instruc-

tor 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 com-

puter 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."

Contnued

Five Questions with an Instructor: AlaideVilchis IbarraInterview 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 theyhave gone and learned in such a small amount of time.

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

AlaideVilchis Ibarra

Kiana Rucker


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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 [email protected] by calling (202)

529-3395.

Upcoming Events

"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 [email protected] (202) 529

-3395.

Volunteer Opportunies


JULY 2013 INFO-BITS

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 Educational Licensure Commis-

sion as a postsecondary educational institution.

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 responsibil-

ity 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 re-

membered 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.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.nonprofitadvancement.org/PostAward2010http://www.catalogueforphilanthropy-dc.org/cfpdc/nonprofit-detail.php?id=94481mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

Info-Bits July 2013

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