ByteBack.org

Many job seekers today will need some level of computer training to search for careers and submit resumes to prospective employers. Yet in Washington D.C., there are thousands of underserved, under-skilled, underemployed, and unemployed residents in need of computer and job-training services.

ByteBack.org is a nonprofit computer and employment training center dedicated to providing hands-on education to underserved individuals by offering free and low-cost classes and services that empower them to advance their careers. From 1998 to 2001, Mike Mann served as founding chairman of the nonprofit organization, helping close the digital divide between those who have access to computers and those who do not.

ByteBack.org now offers courses at more than a dozen locations throughout Washington D.C. The courses teach different levels of students, starting with those who have never used a computer up to computer-certification courses for those interested in becoming IT professionals. ByteBack.org also provides resume assistance, job search counseling, and interview preparation to help students find employment or improve their working situations. For every $100 invested in training, many students increased their earnings by $1,082. The organization has been recognized as a two-time finalist for The Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management.