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Cri-Help Course Report
- October 16, 2004
Instructors: Avron Cohen, Barry Issac, Leigh Davis Glass, Dale Wing
Crihelp is a facility that provides programs of treatment, education, prevention, counseling and rehabilitation for chemically dependent individuals and their families. Based in North Hollywood location, Crossing the Digital Divide taught an introductory course in computers.
There were four primary instructors – Barry a pilot from Israel, Leigh a television lawyer, Dale a photographer and Avron an accountant from South Africa. Thanks must be given to the substitutes that stood in when each of these volunteers had other commitments.
The participants consisted of a diverse group of recovering addicts with backgrounds ranging from high school drop-outs to tech industry professionals. This provided challenges in teaching basic computer concepts to first time users and keeping the more advanced participants interested. Some of the experienced users assisted the instructors in coaching the other users.
As with all the courses, the main project was to compose an article about their own goals and aspirations. The class took the assignment seriously as seriously as their computer studies and wrote interesting and well planned essays. These papers will serve the students well in the road to success and gave the instructors great insight into the lives of the students.
After this six week course, it is difficult to understand who learnt more, the so called “students” or “tutors”. I am sure my fellow volunteers will agree with me when I say that this experience was thoroughly enjoyable and interesting. All I can say – can’t wait to do this again.
Grad Report
This ceremony marked the first time that CDD utilized the dining hall for a Cri-Help graduation, and the arrangement worked beautifully. The new location provided us the chance to hold a more formal ceremony and to invite all of the clients to attended and congratulate their peers.
Dale Wing, one of the dedicated instructors this session, hosted the graduation as the Master of Ceremonies and did a fabulous job of introducing the CDD Board Members, Xavier J. Nathan and Kathleen Patton who both had the chance to share some thoughts about CDD with the audience.
The special guest speakers were Ford Englertz from Clear Channel, and a gentleman from Socorro (another recovery center that works hand-in-hand with Cri-help). Both had very positive and inspirational messages that I’m sure the audience took to heart. As always, we had two students present their papers on their “Plan for Success” and how the computer skills they got from the class will help them achieve their goals.
First to present was Lena Castaneda. She spoke about how she will use computer skills in the “alternative sentencing” area in order to help people seeking recovery. The second student presenter was Jessie Torres and he talked about how completing the CDD computer class was a great achievement for him. In the middle of talking, Jessie did something rather unexpected; he pulled up fellow student Michael Sapp to say a few words. Michael shared with the audience that he was very hesitant to sign up for the class and how he overcame his fear of computers and ended up with new and exciting skills that will help him get a solid job once he has completed the recovery process.
There were a total of 11 students that completed the course who were eligible to graduate and receive certificates. Unfortunately, due to the poor weather conditions some students from Socorro weren’t able to attend the ceremony to be presented with their graduation certificates, but rather had to have the certificates delivered to them at a later date. The students that were able to attend received their certificates in front of a very welcoming and enthusiastic audience. All of the CDD board members, instructors and (to my pleasant surprise) substitute instructors lined up to congratulate each the graduates with a hand shake or a hug.
Once all of the students received their certificates and posed for some photos, the ceremony. Then everyone was invited to have some cake, ice cream, and beverages.
Once again, I’m very happy and proud to have had the opportunity to assist in another successful CDD computer class at Cri-Help. It was a real joy to work with these students and I wish all of them well in whatever they do!
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