BANK GRANT HELPS FUND DIGITAL LITERACY CERTIFICATIONS

BankNewport extended a $10,000 grant to East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) to help fund digital literacy courses for students enrolled in their Workforce Development programs, An Even Start in Newport and the East Bay Skills Alliance.  

Computer literacy is essential to the present and future success of adult education students, since job searches are conducted online and most employers request that applications, resumes, cover letters and references be submitted electronically.  Earning digital literacy certification will aid adult learners in job searches, improve their marketability to potential employers, and build the skills necessary for completion of the new computer-based GED exam and pursue higher education.

BankNewport’s grant helped fund the delivery of two new computer literacy courses for the Even Start and East Bay Skills Alliance students.  The topics comprised keyboarding, use of a mouse and navigation, basic computer use, internet safety and the World Wide Web.  Classes were held in the Virtual Learning Lab at the Florence Gray Center in Newport and taught by Even Start GED Instructor, Heather Sullivan and Even Start Parent Educator and Case Manager, Marisa Ellin. 

The total number of certificates earned was 107. In order to earn a certificate, a student must pass the exam with a score of 85% or higher; 100% of the students improved their pretest scores when they took the proctored exam. 

The courses were offered through the Northstar Digital Literacy Project, which defines the basic skills needed to perform tasks on computers and online. The ability of adults to perform such tasks is assessed through online, self-guided modules.  Included are basic computer digital literacy standards and modules in ten main areas: Basic Computer Use, Internet, Windows Operating System, Mac OS, Email, Microsoft Word, Social Media, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Information Literacy.

About Even Start
An Even Start in Newport is a family literacy program that helps improve the academic achievement of young children and their parents, especially in the area of reading. Even Start provides family literacy services in Newport County to low-income families that have at least one child between birth and ten years old.  East Bay Skills Alliance educates, trains and empowers Rhode Island residents to embark on career pathways to become employed in available jobs and provides Rhode Island employers with skilled, work-ready employees who contribute to the economic development of their community.

About BankNewport 
Founded in 1819 and headquartered in Newport, BankNewport offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Rhode Island.  In addition, OceanPoint Insurance Agency, Inc., a subsidiary of BankNewport, offers a broad range of property casualty insurance products and a full array of financial services.  With 15 banking offices and $1.4 billion in assets, BankNewport is one of the oldest community banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees and communities.