CTN and Oakland Public Library wrapped up our Ready, Set, Connect! Program last month with a party to celebrate the youth and their achievements. The youth shared presentations about their work in the program and received certificates recognizing their many accomplishments. These projects ranged from a video promoting the RSC program for future funders to a web-based tutorial on basic computer skills to presentations about tutoring locations, professional development training sessions, as well as the program’s impact on library clients and youth participants.
READY, SET, CONNECT’S IMPACT
Over the course of the thirty week program, youth participated in over sixty hours of training in computer tutoring, community outreach, web design, social media, and graphic design tools and worked with mentors from Bay Area corporations to build resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and professional portfolio websites. They practiced their dynamic skills while assisting the Oakland Public Library with program outreach and digital literacy tutoring in computer labs at five Oakland Library branches. In addition to tutoring over 1,000 library patrons, Ready, Set, Connect! youth took on specialist roles within their branch teams based on their skills and future career goals.
I’m really grateful for the opportunity. I got a lot of exposure to a lot of people and their experiences. RSC connected me with mentors and resources, and I feel really grateful. – Andrea Guzmán, Ready, Set, Connect! youth
We couldn’t help all the patrons that we do without the youths’ help. We just don’t have the time to sit and give one-on-one computer help the way the RSC youth do. It’s also a great community builder here. Most of the people the youth help are older adults. It’s been a great way for youth and older people work together. – Susy Moorhead, Teen Librarian at Cesar Chavez Branch Library
NEXT STEPS — AND HOW YOU CAN HELP
CTN and Oakland Public Library are gearing up to launch the next round of Ready, Set, Connect! in the Fall. Help us invest in our youth today and give them a boost to a brighter future. Your donation will help fund stipends for the Ready Set Connect class of 2015. Modest stipends for our interns make it possible for them to participate in this life-changing program. We are $2,300 short of our goal and need your help in the next 10 days to fund the youth stipends for this incredible program. Please visit our CommitChange site http://bit.ly/ignitersc to help us continue our Youth Program, Ready, Set, Connect!
