CTN and Oakland Public Library wrapped up our pilot 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.
READY, SET, CONNECT’S IMPACT
Over the course of the twelve week program, youth participated in thirty 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 350 library patrons, Ready, Set, Connect! youth took on specialist roles within their branch teams based on their skills and future career goals.
Ready, Set, Connect has made a major impact on my life. I started this program as a way to earn some extra money and left with a new mindset and skill set. Through tutoring at the Dimond library I was able to be of service to people in my own neighborhood. It is a good thing to be able to give back to your own. I do believe I was able to make a difference in some persons lives. – Darius Henson, Ready, Set, Connect! youth
We as staff are lucky to have such a rich technological resource at our disposal. Thank you so much for choosing OPL–and especially 81st Avenue Branch–as a partner. All of us at 81st feel lucky to have these youth among us. – Susan Maldonado, Teen Services Librarian, 81st Avenue Branch, Oakland Public 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! that would increase the number of youth to twenty, lengthen the program to allow for more training and collaboration, and reach more library patrons with our digital literacy services. We are $2,000 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 Let’s Fund It site http://letsfund.it/browsecampaign/viewcampaign/101#simple1 by July 29th in order to help us continue our Youth Program, Ready, Set, Connect! The clock is ticking, let’s start clicking!
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