Vincent Adejumo - CMG Grad, FSU Grad, CMG Mentor

CMG is overjoyed that one of our 2003 teen IC3 certification awardees has continued his education at Florida State University. Vincent graduated with a Management Information Services (MIS) degree in May, 2008. He has chosen to return to Tampa and is currently employed by Hillsborough County Public Schools at his alma mater Middleton High School.

FSU grad and CMG mentor, Vincent Adejumo.

Of major importance to CMG is the fact that Vincent is a weekly mentor to our Wednesday Advanced Teen class. He relates well to all of the students. Vincent recounts how CMG provided the impetus for his choice of a computer-field major in college.

As a Middleton high school junior, Vincent knew that he wanted to attend an excellent college, but had no idea of a college major. He attended a CMG introductory talk in school at that time. The opportunity to learn about computers, plus receive a free computer interested him. He immediately enrolled in the CMG teen program and earned his IC3 basic computer knowledge certificate in his senior high school year.

Being able to attain a BS degree in four years, has been the impetus for many conversations with the CMG teen students. The students know of many individuals who have failed to complete their college education. Vincent emphasizes the personal discipline needed to allocate time properly for studies, work, and fun.

CMG hopes Vincent inspires other graduates of its program to "reach-back" for the next generation. Thanks, Vincent.

Computer Mentors Now Has Chapters

It’s official! Computer Mentors Group has now established two independent chapters. The first is Computer Mentors Pinellas, which is headquartered in St. Petersburg and the second is Computer Mentors of St. Louis, which is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Both organizations are currently run as independent agencies with volunteer staff and their own boards of Directors.

Pat Spillman (left) - Director St. Louis and Juan Davis - Board Chair Tampa
execute Charter Agreement.

Both share the vision and the mission of Computer Mentors Group, which is to provide computer training, in-home technology, information access, and skill development to those who live in communities without sufficient resources.As such, each chapter will run at least one of the familiar CMG programs which include: the CMG Teen Certification & Ownership Program; The CMG Kids Program; The CMG Adult Computer Literacy Program, or a CMG Computer Giveaway Program.

Camille Williams will lead the Pinellas County chapter. Camille is a saleswoman for Verizon Business and a former resident of South St. Petersburg. Camille, also a graduate of the Leadership Pinellas class of 2007, got the vision of forming a Pinellas chapter when her daughter became a member of the CMG youth program in Tampa.

The Pinellas County group has been hosting classes in St. Petersburg since August 2007.

The St. Louis chapter will be lead by Patrick Spillman. Pat is a business consultant and owner of First American Management Services in St. Louis. Pat's vision came while visiting the classroom of his wife, Michelle Whitfield, a first grade teacher for the University City School District in St. Louis County.

They observed an obvious disparity between children that had access to technology and the ability to use it and those that did not. Pat and Michelle started Bridge To Knowledge, to collect used computers, clean them and provide them to students who were in need and displayed the desire to "earn." Now doing business as Computer Mentors of St. Louis County, they are committed to "Bridge The Digital Divide." Welcome, Pat and Michelle, to the CMG family.

From the Director

Our new teen-friendly curriculum is ready to go! All new students of the CMG Teen Program will now use our new Computer Mentors Tech-Teen curriculum featuring our very own avatar, Smart Charlie. Smart Charlie will be guiding our teens through the same material that we've always used, but in a much more fun and entertaining way.

Charlie will exclusively use "teen friendly" examples and language and will assist the youth through the curriculum at a faster pace and is expected to raise the rate at which the teens can earn the IC3 Certification.

Charlie, along with his cast of teen characters, will be delivered via the Internet. This will allow teens to study and practice while at home or from the library. Eventually, we anticipate making Charlie available to purchase for individuals and groups that will generate earned income for the organization.

Many thanks go out to all those that played a significant role in this project: Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, Eckerd Family Foundation, Atty. William "Bill" Hamilton of Holland & Knight and a couple of folks who prefer to remain anonymous. And last and certainly not least, is our development team that included Alisa Jenkins, our Project Leader of Springboard Marketing and Communications; Andrea Mendolia and the team at StudioXMedia, the development team; and our own CMG curriculum developer Tymecka Caines. This group took our vision and over the past two years and has made it into a reality.

Thank you for your great support, your enormous fortitude, and that spirit of excellence that helped make this a successful project.

Sincerely,

Email: rsmith@computermentors.org
Phone: (813) 236-1191

Click here for more information on the 2008 Tech Bowl