Eastside University Village

communitytechnologycenters

Third Ward/Southeast Houston

voicesfromthelabs

The Program Specialist Perspective

Rebecca--ESUVCLC

Rebecca, a Texas Connects Coalition trainer at our Eastside University Village Community Learning Center (ESUVCLC), brought us a story. Rebecca’s center is located in one of Houston’s most under-resourced neighborhoods, but ESUVCLC offers accredited courses for free. Meet one of her students, Caleph:

“Caleph Lane had a stroke several years ago. He came into my Basic Computer class uncertain as to whether he would be successful in retaining the lessons. However, he informed the class he was determined to learn about computers so he could obtain employment.

“About a month into our semester, Lane asked me to help him create a resume. Although we had not yet started Microsoft Word (we were barely learning how to use the Internet), I decided to assist him with creating a resume. I led him through Word, showed him how to create a template and within a 20 minute one-on-one lesson, Mr. Lane was creating his own resume. It took him a few days to complete the process due to typing limitations he has with his right hand.

“Nevertheless, once his resume was done he was ready to find a job. We worked together to find and apply for jobs online, while his natural endurance led him to apply for several jobs on his own.

“The week of May 4^th, Mr. Lane went to his first interview for a customer service position with an electric company. He was dressed professionally, had a great resume, and the drive to succeed. Unfortunately, he was told to apply again at a later date, that there were no full-time jobs available. When Mr. Lane shared this information with me, we began to create a cover letter highlighting his skills and thanking the hiring manager for the opportunity to interview with her.

“The next day he was called back in for a second interview and offered a part-time job.

“Mr. Lane enrolled at ESUVCLC with no computer skills, recovering from a life changing stroke, and uncertain about his success at ESUVCLC. He is now one of my most successful students, still eager to learn more and employed part time. I would say Mr. Lane has definitely reached his short term goal of learning computers and obtaining employment.

“Mr. Lane will be one of our many students at the Eastside University Village Community Learning Center Graduation Ceremony, held on May 17, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.”

Eastside University Village Community Learning Center is located in Houston’s historic Third Ward. Among other adult education projects, it holds regular GED, ESL and computer courses. For more information, call 713-747-9255 or visit at 3614 Holman St.

“Time is of the essence in this business.”

Beverly

Beverly considered herself someone who knew a lot about computers—she’s used them all her life—until she took basic computer classes at accredited Eastside University Village Community Learning Center (ESUVCLC). Even though she’s used computers in college, 33 years in management at Foley’s and Macy’s and in her self-operated travel agency, she says, “I’ve learned so much in just three weeks.”

Her favorite new skill is using Sticky Notes, a kind of Post-It Notes tool for Windows 7. She finds their accessibility convenient for cruise planning, which is her biggest seller. “It cuts down on cost of paper, it keeps everything organized, and I don’t have to log into email or something to see my reminders. They’re right there.”

Beverly has personally seen how computers have changed. She started as a Computer Science major in 1971, when computers filled rooms. “You couldn’t see the ceiling.” Now, she and her husband have three laptops at home, one of which she takes on her planned trips. “Because you never know what can happen!”

Despite her experience, Beverly says basic computer courses were necessary due to technology’s rapid development. When she learned ESUVCLC’s classes counted college credits, her decision was made. “If you can take a class for free, while getting three hours credit, you’d be a fool not to take it,” she laughs.

It’s especially important to stay computer-savvy when she uses one every day for her travel agency. “Time is of the essence in this business, and everything is online now, including reservations. I don’t have time to call Carnivale and be put on hold.” Going online, she explains, gets her clients their spot while giving her time for those last-minute changes. In such a competitive market, technology isn’t an advantage; it’s a necessity.

If you’d like to support entrepreneurs like Beverly, you can help.

“You can’t fake these skills.”

Dadisi

Dadisi is an artist living the kind of life most dream of: world traveler, poet, musician and published author. His website, www.dcmoreproductions.com, showcases his passion for creativity. His collection of poems, “Love is a River,” is his fourth book to be published.

So what brings this self-described “creative entrepreneur” to Eastside University Village Community Learning Center (ESUVCLC) in Houston’s Third Ward? Like many, it’s the increasingly digital demands of today’s job market.

“Even if you apply for a job you can easily do, and have done, you need computer skills,” he says. “Otherwise, you don’t have a chance to get through that door.”
Dadisi found ESUVCLC through Texas Workforce Commission, a state agency and employment resource. Intrigued by the free computer classes ESUVCLC offered as college credit, he called for directions. From there, “I fell in love with the place.

“We’re learning things here people pay to learn at the university. But we learn for free, in a great learning environment.”

Dadisi lives the benefits of his education. Since learning Microsoft Word, he explains, his overall spelling, formatting and writing have improved. Even better, his new online and Office skills helped him discover AuthorHouse, a leading provider of self-publishing services. After an email correspondence, he felt AuthorHouse was the right direction for his work. He plans to publish “Love is a River” in hardback, paperback and e-book.

“People say, ‘fake it until you make it.’ But you can’t fake these skills.”

He only regrets he didn’t start sooner. When he wanted a website, he had to pay someone else to create it. A waste, he says, since ESUVCLC teaches web design at night.
“It’s empowerment,” he says. “I learned how to do everything at this center. It’s a blessing to be here.”

If you’d like to support entrepreneurs like Dadisi, you can help.

Interview with a Director: Bracy Johnson

Director of Eastside University Village Community Learning Center

When Eastside University Village Community Learning Center (ESUVCLC) began in Houston’s Third Ward, they offered English as Second Language (ESL) classes taught by volunteers. In 1998, they opened a lab with five computers for communal use. Soon, the lab had lines going out the shotgun house’s doors. “Everyone wanted those computers,” Bracy says.

Now, thanks to community efforts and a partnership with Technology For All, their lab has expanded to 40 computers, with plans to expand by 30 to 40 more. “Every single computer we have is used daily,” he says. Besides using the lab as a resource for ESL and General Education Development classes, instructors teach basic and Microsoft Office Suite.

This array creates opportunities for students and the center: GED and ESL students become comfortable with computers as they use online educational resources in class, rendering the transition from education to basic computer classes easier. “You have to have your GED to enroll in computer classes. That way, everyone can get a job after computer classes, since employment is the ultimate goal.”

At ESUVCLC, jobs are “the biggest thing we go for.” Many users work low-income or seasonal jobs, and classes like ESL and computer basics provide opportunities they wouldn’t easily access. After completing just the basic computer class, however, many users gained a job or advanced their current position. Most students who complete computer basics continue to Microsoft Office, where they learn Word, Excel and more. Thanks to accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, ESUVCLC students graduate with educational credits.

Besides employment, many users join computer classes as more industries become electronic, such as banking and government filings. “We still see a consistently high demand for this resource as society becomes more technological,” Bracy explains. “Expansion is in our future and a computer lab is in it. Whatever our future endeavors will be, computers will be there.”

If you'd like to support community centers giving students a chance at college, you can help.

“I’ve never learned so much.”

Phenita

Phenita attended college and worked as a computer programmer. But in 2006, twelve days after her birthday, she had a stress-related stroke that lost much of her short-term memory. She went to TIRR, Memorial Hermann’s rehabilitation facility, for a year and a half. Now, she is starting all over with computers.

“I love it,” she says. “Little things slowly come back to me. Sometimes I can even help the teacher.” Every time she comes, she says, she remembers more and more of her former career. Besides learning how to use computers, Phenita learns why it works. “Things about the computer you knew of, but you didn’t know what it was for. I’ve never learned so much.”

Since Phenita faces unique challenges, the self-paced classes are essential. Self-pacing allows her to learn without frustration, she says. And because her fellow classmates have no computer knowledge as well, they are all starting over together. “I don’t feel like an outcast,” she says, which was not the case when she tried quicker-paced college courses. “We all help each other, which makes the class easier.”

As long as she’s learning, Phenita’s memory grows stronger and stronger. “The only discouraging thing,” she explains, “is if I forget everything. I have to keep going.” As long as she’s doing something about it, she believes she can stay positive and move forward. “I want to take every class here. Since I get college credit, maybe I can transfer somewhere. I don’t want this to hold me down.”

If you’d like to support comebacks like Phenita’s, you can help.

“Mama, face your fears.”

Kerri

Like many of our students, Kerri struggled with digital literacy. That’s nothing to her—she’s also struggled with reading all her life. “I went to college, got my degree, met Barbara Bush and the Clintons,” she says. “But I could never read well.”

Despite her accomplishments, Kerri avoided reading when she could. As a girl, she wanted to be a model. While working for her Bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising—ideal since it was mostly drawing—she had to get help. “When we had reading, I went to tutoring. Someone always helped me.”

Inspired by her son’s commitment to education, Kerri went to Houston’s Read Commission, a mayoral initiative to combat illiteracy. She did so well, she gave a speech during a visit from Barbara Bush and the Clintons. She also heard about free, accredited computer courses at Eastside University Village Community Learning Center (ESUVCLC). “I knew I needed to for my son. He’s learning computers in school—he’s so smart, he inspired me.” When she had doubts, he said, “Mama, face your fears.”

In her three weeks of basic computing class, Kerri has come a long way. “Just knowing how to turn the computer on, knowing how to bring stuff up. It’s amazing how much is out there. I just couldn’t imagine it.” Kerri does more and more online these days. “You can find where you’re going.”

Her mother took basic computer classes at her senior center, but didn’t learn nearly as much. “Whenever I’m visiting, I show her something. She’s always saying, ‘we didn’t learn that.’” Kerri’s sister teaches computer courses at Houston Community Center, but she would get frustrated with Kerri. “ESUVCLC is a good school. I tell all my friends I’m going to an excellent school, where they really teach.”

Now, Kerri has come so far she wants to write a book with her new skills. “With [Technology For All Program Specialist] Rebecca’s help, I can go for it.”

If you’d like to support the power of total literacy, you can help.