About the CTC Field-Testing Organizations

 

In 2005, five CTCNet members received grants to field-test Microsoft's UP curriculum. Below is information about each of these organizations and the instructors who developed the adapted curricula.

Community Preservation and Development Corporation (Washington, DC)

Farmworker Housing Development Corporation (Woodburn, OR)

Mission West Virginia (St. Alban's, WV)

North Shore Community Action Programs, Salem Cyberspace (Peabody, MA)

Yesler Learning Center (Seattle, WA)

 

Community Preservation Development Corporation (CPDC) -- www.cpdc.org

CPDC develops vibrant communities through innovation and partnerships. To accomplish this, CPDC creates and preserves financially sound, socially responsible affordable housing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families and, in cooperation with community residents, develops community programs that strengthen their communities and increase opportunities for growth.

Alfred Attey (Instructor) is responsible for developing and overseeing implementation of all CSE technology curricula. He has over 18 years of experience instructing computer users. He has extensive experience in telecommunications and information technology, and has done work with developing nations. Mr. Attey holds many certifications in Microsoft Office applications, including: Certified Master Microsoft Office 2000 and Prep. Master Instructor Certification Microsoft Office 2000.

Alfred was instrumental in helping CPDC become a certified Microsoft Office Specialist training center and has developed a specialized tutorial program and curriculum for individuals interested in becoming certified. Mr. Attey continually customizes off-the- shelf curriculum with materials and activities designed to meet the specific needs of his students. Students in Mr. Attey's classes consistently give him extremely high evaluation marks, specifically commenting on his depth of knowledge, patience, professionalism, dedication and inspiring teaching methods.

Sasha Lotas (Program Coordinator) has worked with CPDC for over five years and currently serves as Career and Skill Enhancement Assistant Manager and Head of Academic Affiars. She assists with the administration of the Career and Skill Enhancement Programs with primary responsibility for the academic programs at CPDC. Before coming to CPDC, Sasha was an Americorps member (teaching GED to young adults) and managed after school academic enrichment programs for children. Sasha is currently the project lead for the CPDC-WAVE Academy - an innovative program for young adults between 16-21. The Academy provides a comprehensive array of services including: job readiness training, employability services, GED preparation, SAT preparation, college level studies, and leadership skills development. In addition, participants also have the opportunity to engage in music technology, videography, and other electives.
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Farmworker Housing Development Corporation -- www.fhdc.org

Recognizing the vital contribution of farmworkers to our economy, FHDC develops farmworker leadership for stronger and more secure families and communities through affordable housing, social services, education and economic development.

Felipe Lora (Instructor) is a full-time technology instructor at FHDC's Cipriano Ferrel Education Center, providing basic computer skills to farmworkers with little to no education. Felipe has managed the 800-user computer lab for three years, and has 13 years of experience teaching and developing curriculum for computer, math and science classes to middle school students. He has a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a Master's degree in Mathematics instruction. He is licensed to teach in Oregon and New York.
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Mission West Virginia -- www.missionwv.org

Mission West Virginia is a non-profit organization that collaborates with public and private entities, particularly faith communities, equipping them to utilize existing resources to form new partnerships, encouraging innovative social change, and building stronger communities in West Virginia. We envision strong communities in which the disadvantaged and disenfranchised are served adequately through the collaborative efforts of government, faith communities, community-based groups and other entities by setting differences aside and uniting around a common mission. Mission West Virginia has provided hardware and training to underserved populations since its inception, beginning as a computer literacy program distributing refurbished computers - for free - to more than 250 faith communities, grass-roots organizations and senior centers to establish free computer skills learning labs. Since that time, we have aggressively used technology to aid adult literacy students, distributing 700 refurbished computers to literacy students in West Virginia. Recently, Mission West Virginia has focused more on building and distributing new computers by establishing 34 computer labs through two Appalachian Regional Commission grants, and starting a youth program called "Build It, Keep It, Share It," where students learn the basic skills of computer repair and at the end of the course get to build and keep a new computer. That program is expanding this summer to cover 260 students in an 11-county area and is being considered for statewide expansion next year.

Shelia Blake (Instructor) is Training Coordinator for the Regional Workforce Women's Business Center. She currently creates that organization's curriculum and teaches classes in basic computers, digital photography, creating and managing databases, desktop publishing, spreadsheets and the WV ABE "This is the On Button" curriculum. Blake previously worked in private industry as a staff accountant and for the Region 1 Workforce Investment Board. Ms. Blake is currently working toward her Microsoft Certification and is developing all of the computer curricula being taught to small business owners, especially women, in 11 southern West Virginia counties. She maximizes her prior business experience and real world experience in communicating the necessary skill sets to her students, who then apply these skills in their own business settings. Because of this business-oriented focus, Blake brings a unique perspective to her teaching that resonates well with her adult audience. She has built on her core experience and previous computer training from, among other places, the American Institute of Banking, to form the curriculum currently being used at the Regional Women's Business Center, and will be an asset to Mission West Virginia's program.

B. David Rogers (Program Coordinator) is Associate Director and Technology Officer for Mission West Virginia, Inc. Rogers is in the midst of administering his second consecutive grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission, which helped establish to date 34 community technology centers in southern and southeastern West Virginia. These labs teach basic computer and workforce skills and are free to the public.

Before joining Mission West Virginia in 1997, Rogers worked for Marshall University in a variety of training and public relations positions. He previously worked from 1989 to 1996 as a court and investigative reporter at newspapers in Lexington, Ky., Huntington, WVa., and Waterbury, Conn. He earned his B.A. in Communications in 1989 from the University of Kentucky and his M.B.A. in 1998 from Marshall University.
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North Shore Community Action Programs, Salem Cyberspace -- www.salemcyberspace.org

Salem CyberSpace is a community technology and learning center created by North Shore Community Action Programs, Inc. (NSCAP), a private 501 (c) 3 organization serving 25 cities/towns north of Boston, which helps low-income people become economically self-sufficient while encouraging the larger community to recognize and eradicate the social and economic barriers that stand between poor families and their economic independence.

Since Salem CyberSpace opened in August 2002, it has served nearly 1,000 people, including over 400 who have participated in one of the many adult and youth programs. In addition to Salem CyberSpace, NSCAP's services include Housing Assistance, Legal Aid to prevent homelessness; Fuel Assistance; Family shelter, Workplace training; Adult Education for immigrants; and Elderly Home Care.

In 2001, Linda Saris (Program Coordinator) started Salem CyberSpace, a nonprofit community technology center with a mission to help low-income and unemployed people living North of Boston gain access to technology and computer skills training. Two years later, Salem Cyberspace has trained over 400 people in both English and Spanish, and has over 600 members who come in to use the computers and Internet. In 2003, Linda started CyberYouth, an after-school math and technology program for the low-income, primarily Hispanic, youth from Salem. Prior to founding Salem CyberSpace, Linda was Senior Vice President of RSA Security, Inc. of Bedford, MA. During her 12-year tenure with RSA, she was Chief Financial Officer, managing RSA's initial public offering in 1994. From 1996 - 2000, Linda served as Senior Vice President in charge of IT, Operations, Technical Support and Professional Services. In her last year at RSA, she managed a strategic initiative aimed at incubating new product ideas. Linda has a B.A. from University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Ms. Saris also serves on the Board of Directors of The Boston Club (www.thebostonclub.com) and on the Programs Committee of the North Shore Technology Council (www.nstc.org).

Rose Gould (Instructor) has ten years of experience teaching computer skills and developing curricula for governmental and social service organizations. She is especially effective working in environments that are culturally and socio-economically diverse. Her never-ending compassion and ability to empower others has been instrumental in teaching MS Word to Veterans at the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans to assist them in creating resumes and cover letters that subsequently led to jobs. Her creative teaching approach has energized inner-city teens at Girls Incorporated in learning and creating PowerPoint Slideshows that demonstrate their accomplishments in fighting substance abuse, gang violence and HIV/AIDS. Additionally, her ability to communicate complex information into simple terms has aided her in teaching Microsoft Access to nearly one hundred individuals without any post secondary education. Her strong academic background combined with her experience working with diverse populations has resulted in teaching methods capable of reaching a variety of different learning styles.
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Yesler Learning Center -- www.ci.seattle.wa/yeslerlearningcenter

Yesler Learning Center provides residents of Yesler Terrace Garden and the surrounding community with a nurturing, safe, culturally sensitive environment where they are offered practical knowledge and skills in the use of electronic technology and the English language -- tools for life-long learning and personal and community empowerment. Yesler opened in September of 2000, under the auspices of the Seattle community Technology Alliance (SCTA), a collaborative effort of the Seattle public Library, Seattle's Department of Information Technology, The Seattle Housing Authority, Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation and several other community organizations and corporate partners. The center serves mostly 1500 low-income, culturally diverse residents of all ages, many of whom are recent immigrants with limited English skills, as well as nonprofit groups such as Neighborhood House's Head Start program, Catholic Community Service's Youth Tutoring, SHA's Job connection, and others.

Asfaha Lemlem (Program Coordinator) has been the coordinator of the Yesler Terrace Community computer and Learning Center since its opening in 2000. He is an Ethiopian immigrant who has done tremendous work developing the capacity of residents in the Yesler Terrace Community as well as in the East African community. In his previous job, Asfaha developed a very successful CTC program at Horn of Africa Services. He moved to Yesler to expand the community he helps.

As leader of the CTC in the Yesler Terrace Garden Community, Asfaha has ensured new opportunities for the 1,500 low-income, culturally diverse residents of all ages, many of whom are recent immigrants with limited English skills. He developed a combined computer skills and English as a Second Language program. He has brought in numerous program partners, including a Head Start Program, Catholic Community Service Youth Tutoring, and Employment & Training Services. He has brought innovative diversity programs to his community such as Promoting Assets Across Cultures. To enable services and train future community technology staff, he has developed an ongoing intern program with Seattle University. Asfaha has enable a successful co-management partnership between the City of Seattle and the Seattle Housing Authority. He brought in using retired executive volunteers to develop a business-planning model for lab self-sustainability.

Asfaha has shared his expertise and leadership as a member of the Seattle Community Technology Alliance and as a founding board member of the Puget Sound Alliance for Community Technology. These alliances are peer organizations of CTC's working to enhance the capacity of CTC's and the quality of disadvantaged residents. He has opened his center for training other ctc staff to utilize Ethno med, an online health education program for non-English speakers. He hosted trainings for the National Community Building Network and other organizations.

Asfaha has a bachelor degree in Geography and A.S degree in Micro -Computer management .

Fitsum Abraha (Instructor) is a part-time intern from the University of Washington (UW). Fitsum has been with our organization since October of 2002. He assists and leads our basic computer classes, resume workshops and college fares.

Fitsum's experience in developing curricula comes from his education at the University of Washington and his work experience. In his studies, Fitsum has worked with colleagues in developing step by step marketing and managing solution to locally owned businesses. These detail business plans has improved the companies financial and operation. In his employment, Fitsum takes initiatives to improve and develop curriculums. As a former lifeguard, he taught and modified swimming lessons to individuals and groups both young and old. As lab assistance, he created kids zone, an after school program that included math and science Internet games. Additionally Fitsum personally creates and customizes basic computer skills classes to groups of ESL adults. His lessons cover a wide range of basic computer fundamentals. Some of the topics that he covers include Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, Internet and Email.
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