STEPS recently celebrated graduates of their Senior Community Service Employment Program. STEPS, working through the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), provides job training for seniors 55 and older for nine counties in the region.
“We have been providing these services for seniors for years,” said Christin Jackson, STEPS Vice President of Workforce Development. She adds, “And when DARS brought to our attention the opportunity to have grant-funded digital literacy classes, we had to do it.”
Digital literacy can be a major barrier to employment opportunities. Almost every vocation requires some basic skills—from operating a cash register, to clocking in or sending emails. STEPS partnered with Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) to offer the North Star program designed to build basic computer skills to participants at sites in Farmville, South Boston and South Hill. SVCC tutors met with seniors for two hours once per week and helped guide them through the online program.
“We watched them grow in learning and skill,” Jackson said. “This is a program that helped to build job readiness skills and open a world of employment opportunities.”
Eight participants achieved North Star’s Essential Computer Skills and were recognized with a certificate in the ceremony at STEPS program services offices. Grant funding enabled STEPS to present graduates with a new laptop, wireless mouse and a new case to help them exercise their new skills.
Graduates were treated with encouraging commencement remarks from case manager Rob Chapman, and a reception to celebrate the special achievement. “Today, we celebrate your certification of 'Essential Computer Skills,' Chapman said. “But remember this is a commencement of sorts. It is not the end of your learning journey, but a new beginning to a world where computers aren’t so frightening.”
Some of the participants are in job training experiences where they can utilize their computer skills—so the investment is already paying dividends.
“The knowledge that I obtained from the digital literacy program was very helpful for me to be more efficient and confident on my job in processing my work in a timely manner and with accuracy...,” said Esther Jackson, one of the program graduates. She added, “I truly appreciate the opportunity to have been able to attend the program at STEPS.”
STEPS received additional grant funds for the 2023-24 fiscal year, which has allowed STEPS to continue to offer digital literacy classes for SCSEP participants.
For more information on STEPS, visit https://www.steps-inc.org/.
“We have been providing these services for seniors for years,” said Christin Jackson, STEPS Vice President of Workforce Development. She adds, “And when DARS brought to our attention the opportunity to have grant-funded digital literacy classes, we had to do it.”
Digital literacy can be a major barrier to employment opportunities. Almost every vocation requires some basic skills—from operating a cash register, to clocking in or sending emails. STEPS partnered with Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) to offer the North Star program designed to build basic computer skills to participants at sites in Farmville, South Boston and South Hill. SVCC tutors met with seniors for two hours once per week and helped guide them through the online program.
“We watched them grow in learning and skill,” Jackson said. “This is a program that helped to build job readiness skills and open a world of employment opportunities.”
Eight participants achieved North Star’s Essential Computer Skills and were recognized with a certificate in the ceremony at STEPS program services offices. Grant funding enabled STEPS to present graduates with a new laptop, wireless mouse and a new case to help them exercise their new skills.
Graduates were treated with encouraging commencement remarks from case manager Rob Chapman, and a reception to celebrate the special achievement. “Today, we celebrate your certification of 'Essential Computer Skills,' Chapman said. “But remember this is a commencement of sorts. It is not the end of your learning journey, but a new beginning to a world where computers aren’t so frightening.”
Some of the participants are in job training experiences where they can utilize their computer skills—so the investment is already paying dividends.
“The knowledge that I obtained from the digital literacy program was very helpful for me to be more efficient and confident on my job in processing my work in a timely manner and with accuracy...,” said Esther Jackson, one of the program graduates. She added, “I truly appreciate the opportunity to have been able to attend the program at STEPS.”
STEPS received additional grant funds for the 2023-24 fiscal year, which has allowed STEPS to continue to offer digital literacy classes for SCSEP participants.
For more information on STEPS, visit https://www.steps-inc.org/.