A source of inspiration….
Nyvia Colon, Lower Roxbury TGH Coordinator, ends each class by requesting feedback about what worked and didn’t work. And before dismissing the class she reads the Mantra of the day that she gets from www.mastersuccess.com. Here’s an example of what a Mantra may say:
“Maintain a positive mental attitude. A positive mental attitude results from a life dedicated to self-improvement and service. With a personal commitment to doing your best today, you don’t have to be overly concerned about tomorrow. You can be confident that good things will happen and be equally confident that if trouble comes you will have the strength and skills to cope, take control and then conquer. You are tough. You stay at it. You don’t allow your doubts to destroy your dreams. Hope does spring eternal. You are thankful to have the curiosity to keep learning. You are grateful to see opportunity knock so often. You are thankful to have the personality to keep making new friends. Your mind can only hold one thought at a time so make that one thought positive. Count your blessings. The way is clear. The world is a better place because you are in it.
The inspiration provided by Nyvia's teaching style has helped give many students direction in their lives once they have finished the program. Please read some success stories illustrated below.
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Gloria Heckstall, alumni of TGH, graduated a couple of years ago from the program, but continues to give back. She helps out every Saturday and has gone over her 40-hour volunteer commitment. Gloria says: “I believe that this is a program that works. Ever since I graduated I had the motivation, to not only enroll in an associates degree, but to complete it. My son Joshua has also gone on to doing so good in school all because he learned to research and type and he can create better report. I wake up every Saturday morning, because I feel that the coordinator/instructor of the program is so committed that she needs help to move it forward. It’s like she said one day: ‘All I want you to do is pay it forward.’ You see she says that if we all commit to helping one or two people we can touch more people than if she tried to do it herself – and I agree.”
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Sergio Morales and his wife Lisvette are immigrants from Guatemala, living in the Whittier Street Housing Project. After graduating from TGH Sergio has enrolled in the Madison Park Village A+ Networking Program, which started in July 2003. On November 2003 Sergio, along with 17 other students in this program passed the A+ certification test. In September of 2004, Sergio eccepted a position as the new Technology Goes Home Program Coordinator for the Allston Brightoin Community Development Corporation. Because of Sergio's past experience with TGH, he will not only serve as coordinator for that neighborhood, but will bring true insight and guidance to participating families. His wife Lisvette, since graduating from the program, has become more confident in her English. When she first started the program she said she did not know much, but because the program is delivered in both Spanish and English. (English speaking families learn some words in Spanish and Spanish families whose English is limited are given an opportunity to learn more English while learning how to use a computer.)
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Russell, a former inmate, was at a loss when he was released from prison. When he visited the computer lab he began to feel like a part of something. He volunteers his time whenever he could and became more and more engaged in the technology surrounding him. Today, he has passed his A+ certification and working at a local computer store making $9.00 an hour. For some $9.00 an hour is not a lot, but as Russell said: “ this may not be a lot of money but it’s a start and before this I was making $0 dollars and $9.00 is more than zero. And at this time, I don’t have to pay a lot of money in rent because I live in a room and it doesn’t cost me a lot. I hope that by accepting the job and putting my feet inside the door that I can convince the owner, through my hard work and professionalism, to give me a raise the next time I am evaluated.”
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Gail Galloway, 49-year-old single mom, resident of Madison Park Village, is also a TGH alumnus. Gail has suffered a lot and had "given up in her life" as she put it until coming in contact with the TGH program. She now is providing Madison Park 20 hours of community service and is responsible for monitoring the computer lab during the weekdays Monday through Friday, 9AM to 1PM. She is excited about her accomplishments so far and is looking forward to enhancing her professional development skills and one-day being able to get paid for doing something she loves. Because Gail lives just a few doors away from the Lab she is determined to make sure that a lot more residents know about the lab and become involved in the programs offered.
We can go on and on sharing stories, but really just wanted to give you an idea of how the TGH program has become the evolution for personal and neighborhood transformation.
For more information on the TGH program visit:
www.digitalbridgefoundation.orgwww.lrtgh.orghttp://www.angelfire.com/ma3/tgh/
