Triumphant Graduation

1 Dozen eager students ("At Risk Youth" & "Vulnerable Adults" is how the "system" identifies them), ages 15 - 30 graduate from their internship program today.

I have had the unique responsibility, honour, and privilege to have instructed them in computer use, namely: Email Etiquette; Office Applications; Stripping and Assembly of a Computer; and assorted tips and tricks gained through experience.

In the interest of privacy, the first names (only) of these deservedly proud individuals are: Adrianna, Samantha, Ian, Nicole, Coralie, Sarah, Wanetta, Miranda, Eileen, Hannali, Sakshi and Alex. I give them all a collective, virtual hug in celebration of their achievement!

In addition to the customized instruction, the computer segment of the course is structured similarly to a business, where participants are required to produce documents and spreadsheets on a daily basis, of the kind that would ordinarily be used in many organizations. They need to continue producing this output while learning additional skills. The idea is not so much that they complete every last detail of their assignments, but that they keep going, despite the possibility of feeling overwhelmed - just as they would need to do at an actual job. They will need to remember their success with this kind of hurdle as they move off to their job placements, which will last for a period of some months. In the end, many of them will actually be hired by the very organizations where they have completed their training. It is the dawn of a new day for them, and their future is very bright indeed.

At the very end of their course, (with a little encouragement) in only about 7 hours, they were able to pump out a newsletter featuring their progress through their experience in the program. At the beginning (of the newsletter assignment), most of them seemed indifferent to the process, but after it began to take shape, they became increasingly eager to complete it as something of their very own. I am very proud of them.

My biggest let-down (other than likely not seeing any of them again) is that for their safety and that of the program, I can't fully credit them here because there are individuals out there who would gladly take advantage of such information.

I wish all of you (And you know who you are!) the best of success in your futures!