 We have been offering quality free instructor-led training in Information Technology and Telecommunications for the past four years in Prince George's County. Enclosed are some newspapers' articles published by community-based newspapers that monitor and evaluate services offered by nonprofit organizations.
Nonprofit makes itself at home in Lanham space
by Denny Carter
Special to The Gazette
Dec. 11, 2003
Not many nonprofit organizations offer free computer training with one hand while helping to fight an epidemic with the other. The United Support Foundation (USF), which has been doing just that 2000, has moved to Lanham.
USF moved to Lanham from Riverdale Nov. 22, where it operated for three and a half years. "The issue was accessibility," said Emmanuel Edokobi, founder of the organization. "We want to be as close to as many people as possible." Edokobi added that the new location, which the group moved to at the end of last month, is easier to get to via public transportation.
The foundation's former headquarters had only one large room for the services they provide. Now, the USF staff has four classrooms in which they can train people in the field of computers. Cost also played a factor in USF's relocation.
In Riverdale, USF paid $1,200 per month for a 950-square-foot room. In Lanham, the cost is $937 for 1,200 square feet. It's a price, said Edokobi that "is so attractive, it cannot be beat." Edokobi, who came to the United States from Nigeria in 1996, said the free AIDS testing USF offers, along with a three-month computer training program, is designed to improve the lives of people in the area.
"The services are important because you can't do anything without computer skills these days," he said. "Also, we see many young people have had their lives messed up by [AIDS]." Edokobi, a Lanham resident, said USF counselors are trained by the American Red Cross but reminded people they are not professionals. "We are not doctors," he said. "We just test and give out the information."
The organization also visits schools, churches and temples around the region to give AIDS awareness lessons. "People need to be aware of the dangers in our community and how to avoid them," he said. Denise West, a computer trainer for USF, said the organization had trouble meeting the demand of the community in Riverdale.
"There was a lot of interest," she said. "We just had a lot more students than we had room." West said a group that has benefited from the computer training is the elderly. "There are older people who are being left behind in low paying jobs because of their lack of computer skills," she said. "This is a way to help them."
Edokobi invites everyone in the region to utilize the services offered by his organization. "[USF] is so grateful for everything," he said. "I'm paying my due to the community I live in.http://www.gazette.net/200350/largo/news/192158-1.html
USF gives computer training to youths, and needy
May 14, 2003
The offer sounded too good to be true: free computer training available from the United Support Foundation. Although she was a little skeptical, Beatrice Kanga signed up for the course and won a free computer.
The United Support Foundation provides computer applications and hardware training to disabled and needy residents in the Riverdale and Langley Park areas of Prince George's County. During a recent graduation ceremony for the winter session, Kanga and nine other top students received free computers and started down the path to new career opportunities.
"Now I'm trying to learn a Web design program," said Kanga, a native of West Africa who now lives in Riverdale. Currently a hotel employee, Kanga said her computer training will boost her job prospects.
The USF, located at 6201 Riverdale Road, teaches students how to upgrade computers, use Microsoft Office suite and more. With support from such sponsors as Verizon and the National Institutes of Health, the USF has trained more than 450 people since it began three years ago.
"The corporate body knows the value of our program," said founder Emmanuel Edokobi. "When companies hire our graduates, they know those graduates already have computer training."
When students first walk in the door, it's an entirely different story. "Some are so afraid they can't even touch a computer," Edokobi said. Others may have basic computer experience but no time to finish the course. Students must complete three training modules before they graduate and go on to an employer. Classes are available mornings and evenings five days a week.
"The technology field isn't as vibrant as it used to be but it's picking up," Edokobi said. To help students get in an employer's door, the USF also teaches students how to find jobs and conduct themselves during interviews.
The USF is now searching for more volunteers in preparation for its next program. Edokobi plans to refurbish a 27-foot motor home with 10 computer workstations and drive it to different sites throughout Langley Park to train Spanish-speaking residents.
A satellite dish on top of the vehicle will allow students to access the Internet. "Volunteers don't have to know everything," he said. "In the computer field, teaching is learning. If you don't use the few skills you have, you'll lose them."
Teaching computer training to underserved residents is Edokobi's life mission.
He came to the United States from Nigeria in 1996 following an accident that almost cost him an arm and a leg. "The doctors here in the United States worked on me, and I promised God that if I could walk again, I'd use my talents to help people," he said.
Edokobi received a second bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Maryland University College in Adelphi. True to his word, he's been using his skills to teach U.S. natives and people from other countries. "We want to make sure every American gets training in information technology," Edokobi said. "We have the equipment and capability to teach every person who's willing to learn."
Riverdale organization gets $30,000 from Verizon
by Corina E. Rivera
Staff Writer
July 3, 2003
Verizon presented the Riverdale-based human-service organization United Support Foundation (USF) a $30,000 grant June 20.
The USF is a nonprofit organization that offers general computer and Internet training for children, the elderly and disabled individuals. It also offers community health education, including HIV/AIDS control and prevention.
USF President Emmanuel Edokobi said the organization will use the grant toward expansion of the program, including for a mobile home to serve as a classroom in the Langley Park area.
Jason L. Groves, Verizon's area manager for external affairs, delivered the check to Edokobi at the USF office, located at 6201 Riverdale Road. "Nothing gives me more joy than to support community organizations," Groves said. In an interview, he said USF was chosen because it is a wonderful program. "This organization met the criteria set out by the Verizon Foundation; It's very community-based and -oriented," he said.
Edokobi said he was happy to receive the money. "We're proud of this gesture and we're proud of Verizon," he said. The grant was awarded in front of some of Edokobi's students, who are learning the A+ computer program, among other things. Ken Laureys, deputy director of the Office of Community Relations for County Executive Jack Johnson, also attended the presentation.
In an interview, he said, "This is really a win-win situation because Verizon understands companies like it need capable employees, and Emmanuel [Edokobi] is providing free training to people who sometimes cannot afford to go to college to get the skills they need."
John Tabori, vice-president/treasurer of Tabori Whitehead Inc., a management consulting firm based in Prince George's County and Kansas City, Kan., said he volunteered his time and helped Edokobi apply for the grant.
Edokobi said it is the USF's goal to get any interested person computer-literate by 2012.
"We want to take the program to areas like Langley Park and teach everyone who is interested," he said. Edokobi presented USF's newest concept, a mobile home that will serve as a classroom stationed near the McDonald's in Langley Park Plaza. He said about $9,000 of the grant will go toward the facility.
"There will be 12 workstations in the mobile home, and it will have a satellite dish on its roof for Internet access," he said, adding that he hopes the classroom will be ready soon. Student Andrea Taylor of New Carrollton said she is glad the USF received the grant. "I'm very happy because [Edokobi] is doing so much for his students. These classes help build character; they're so much more than technical training," she said.
Papa Githiomi of West Hyattsville said he is learning the skills he needs to succeed in this country. He came to the area from Kenya in 2002. "I want to go to college and major in either computer networking or computer information systems, and this is a good way to start," he said. E-mail Corina E. Rivera at crivera@gazette.net.
Riverdale organization needs volunteers
Aug. 7, 2003
Volunteers are wanted for the United Support Foundation Inc. (USF), a nonprofit organization that offers general computer and Internet training for children, the elderly and disabled individuals.
USF, located at 6201 Riverdale Road, Suite 201 in Riverdale, also offers community health education, including HIV/AIDS control and prevention.
"We are requesting volunteers who have computer skills and wish to volunteer to teach in our school," said Emmanuel P. Edokobi, president/CEO of USF. He said volunteers are needed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Edokobi also said they are in need of donated vehicles.
"We have computers and other equipment to move, but renting a truck or van has been very expensive for our organization," he said. Donations are tax-deductible, he said. For information, call 301-429-3844.
For information, e-mail langleypark98@hotmail.com.
Tapping Technology online Magazine
December 2002 “Issue”
Articles done on our organization's training programs by popular community newspapers that monitor and evaluate services offered by nonprofit organizations that are tailored to benefit members of the community and also catalyst for economic-empowerment and community development in Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia.
The Sentinel article of Thursday October 31, 2002 Vol.70, No 36 on our activities located on both front and back pages; titled: “Man sees vision of helping Americans come to fruition”. Please click this link for full story: - http://www.thesentinel.com/pgfolder/021031USF.htm
Non-profit reaches milestone with graduation
by Corina E. Rivera
Special to The Gazette
Sep. 12, 2002
Emmanuel P. Edokobi considered seeing his students graduate as another milestone in his community activism. Edokobi said he was inspired to start the United Support Foundation (USF) after he was in a car accident in Nigeria in 1992.
The Riverdale based USF, of which Edokobi is president, provides computer training.
Edokobi said he made a promise to God prior to his surgeries, 10 in all, to give back to the community if He would save his arm and leg. In Nigeria, doctors had told him they would have to amputate the two limbs, but Edokobi was able to come to the United States, where doctors were able to salvage them.
Edokobi continued his education in the United States receiving his second bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Maryland in 2001. He then worked as a high-speed specialist for Verizon, then Bell-Atlantic. Even though he lived comfortably with his wages, Edokobi said he did not feel right.
"The money was flowing, but I never had peace. I felt I had to do something positive for the American community that had helped me," he said. So in 2001, he and his friend George Edeh began the USF in Edokobi's basement. They disseminated fliers throughout the neighborhood and provided computer training to neighbors.
"We have been able to establish the organization in bigger offices and help many more people," Edokobi said.
The USF, a community based non-profit organization, provides computer training as well as AIDS/HIV prevention and control. The USF was created in 2000 but incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2001. It receives in-kind donations from the federal government through National Institute of Health-donated computers, along with other grants and donations, which are tax-deductible. About 25 students received their certificate of completion in computer training for learning basic computer knowledge such as keyboarding to disassembling and reassembling a PC Aug. 30.
For Anthony Ballen, 16, from Hyattsville, putting together a computer was not an easy task, but it did mean he would take a computer home. All students who successfully reassembled a computer were given the computer at time of graduation.
"I came two days a week for three hours a day during the summer to get training. I learned the A+ program as well as Excel. The USF is great for kids my age and I'll be able to use what I learned here later in college," said Ballen, who is a senior at DeMatha High School and plans to major in computer science at the University of Maryland, College Park, next year.
Students like Ballen receive training from volunteers like Parry O. Joseph, a systems engineer from New Carrollton, and Denise West, a New Carrollton resident and computer trainer for a law firm. Both volunteer their time and knowledge -- Joseph in the mornings, and West in the evenings.
The students were honored by Edokobi and their instructors at the ceremony, which included Riverdale Park Mayor Michael Herman. "I am delighted to find a program in our community which offers valuable information for free to our residents," Herman said. "It is important for everyone to learn about computers to compete in the 21st century."
In its two years, the USF has trained about 450 people, of which 40 percent are Hispanic, 35 percent are African-American, 15 percent are white, and 10 percent are Asian, according to the organization's website. The students range in age from 7 to 76 years old.
"Anthony is truly a model to those people, young and old, who will come after him to educate themselves through this organization," Herman said.
USF is a minority managed non-profit organization. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, or disability. Applicants using wheel chairs will utilize Our Main Campus at Finns Lane location which is wheel chair assessable. Other arrangements will be made on a case-by-case basis according to individual needs.
Many people in our community children and adult need training in Information Technology. They do not even have a computer to commence their IT Carrier Training. They are willing to be trained, but the money is not available.
If you would like to support our grants funded training program to members of our community, you can do so by clicking donation page |
http://www.gazette.net/200319/princegeorgescty/makediff/157559-1.html
