About Us

Historical Background

CitiWide Computer Training Center (CitiWide) is a nonprofit community-based organization in Washington, D.C.   Since inception in 1993, we have trained and provided services to over 10,500 individuals from low-income and underserved communities in the District. 

CitiWide has a special education program for children with educational disabilities.  The goal of the program is to improve the quality of life experiences for children with special needs so that they can achieve their highest potential, become life-long learners and develop into productive, responsible citizens of their community.  We recognize that, in order to meet the needs of children struggling with learning difficulties, it is essential to provide them a caring and respectful environment.

Our program pays special attention to the provision of emotional and behavioral support to the children as well as helping them master academics, develop social skills, and increase self-awareness, self-control, and self-esteem.  CitiWide’s Special Education Program is conveniently located at our 16^th Street address on a major bus line, near the metro and with ample free parking within the premises.

Technology Integration

In all our programs, technology is integrated across the curriculum in order to meet the ever increasing need for workers with appropriate skills for our technology-dependent workplace.  Graduates from our training center are empowered to continue their education or go to work in a variety of challenging information technology or academic fields.  Our vision is to train tomorrow’s workforce today.  We strive to sustain our organization by conducting ourselves professionally and ethically.  CitiWide employs skillful and dedicated staff and taps into the community for experienced and committed volunteers to help in attaining our vision.

Partnerships and Collaborators

As part of our capacity-building efforts, CitiWide has over the years partnered and collaborated with many organizations and governmental agencies including; United Planning Organization (UPO), DC Department of Employment Services (DOES), DC Learns, DC Department of Human Services, Inter-American Development Bank, Latino Federal of Washington, SHW Hadley Hospital and Skilled Nursing Unit, Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) among others.

Healthcare Careers

On December 8, 2007, CitiWide’s Board of Directors approved the addition of Nursing Assistant (NA), Home Health Aide (HHA), Medical Billing and Coding and, Daycare programs to CitiWide’s range of services.  Consequently, the NA and HHA training programs will be launched in the very near future at CitiWide’s 16^Th Street location.

Staff and Faculty

Citiwide staff are experienced and qualified for our programs.  These individuals have worked in the community for years and are well experienced and enjoy their work with the low-income community. They are dedicated, trustworthy individuals who want to make a difference in people’s lives.

On the side of Computer Technology, GED and ESL training we have staff with backgrounds that stretch from Science and Engineering to management/business Administrations.  The healthcare area is properly and adequately covered by one Doctor and two experienced and qualified Registered Nurses (RNs).  The Executive Director, Mr. Anthony Chuukwu is the founder of CitiWide and oversees the day to day operations of the organization.

Overall, we have nine qualified, experienced and certified staff with combined total years of approximately 150 years experience in the various fields indicated above.

Program Requirements

For Computer Technology, Medical Billing and Coding and Nursing Assistant training all participants must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.  GED is remedial training for those without a high school diploma while ESL is geared towards immigrants whose first language is not English.  Participants in the Home Health Aide program must be able to read at or above grade 4 reading level.  An aptitude test is conducted to determine ability of participants to complete the program.

Sponsorships

Organizations, corporations, governmental agencies and other institutions are encouraged to sponsor their employees or clients to any of our programs whether they be in a group or as individuals.  Citiwide provides offsite training for all programs except Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide training programs.

Scholarships

•               President: Helen A. Enob, Esq., is an experienced real estate attorney with extensive experience in the United Kingdom, New York, and Washington, D.C. She received her LL.B. from the University of Central England and is currently a candidate for an LL.M. at the University of Bristol. Ms. Enob is a member of the New York State Bar Association, Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts, the National Notary Association, USA, and the African, Caribbean and Asian Lawyers Group, UK.

•               Vice President: Mr. Onyenwe, CPA, MBA, boasts an impressive resume of positions in accounting, auditing and finance in some of the Mid-Atlantic's leading companies, including the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, Bell Atlantic Corporation, and LAM Associates, Inc. Mr. Onyenwe is a Certified Public Accountant. He earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Baltimore and a Master of Science Degree in MIS and Telecommunications Systems from The Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Onyenwe also holds a Master's Certificate in Government Contracting from George Washington University. He is a member of the Maryland Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

•               Chief Information Officer: Erick Clarke, Ph.D., obtained his BS, Chemistry at Central State University in 1969. He went on to obtain Masters of Science in Biochemistry, Long Island University in 1972 and MBA/MPH Health Care Management, at Columbia University, in 1976. He obtained his doctorate Ph.D. in Management Information Systems and Planning at Columbia University in 1980. Erick Clarke worked as the Administrator at New York City Department of Health from 1972-1979. He was the Executive Director of Karl Warner Center, a 630-bed facility for mentally ill and developmentally disabled individuals at Staten Island, New York. He served as the Executive Director of the Center for Comprehensive Medical Services, a multi-service health care facility in Buffalo, New York, from 1982 to 1987. Mr. Clark served as Executive Director of Metropolitan Ambulatory Care Center, a multi-service health care facility in Washington, DC, from 1987-1991. He was the Vice President of Linvis Enterprises, Inc., a human resources and corporate development firm in Baltimore, Maryland from 1991- 1999. He served as an Assistant Adjunct Professor in Biostatistics at Buffalo University, Buffalo, New York, from 1982 to1987. He has served as a Lecturer, Project Abstain - Department of Family Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, and Baltimore, MD since 1998. He has been the Vice President of QA Medical Laboratories, Inc., a clinical reference laboratory in Silver Spring, Maryland since 1994.

•               Member: Efiong Eyo. MSc., is an experienced technology education professional with special interests in Mathematics, Advanced Math and Technology Applications. He has taught math and computer science at the Washington Mathematics Science Technology Public Charter School, Techworld Public Charter School, and New Vistas Public Charter School, all in Washington, DC. Mr. Eyo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and a Master of Science Degree in Information Systems from the University of the District of Columbia.

•               Member: Domenick Casareale, Ph.D., holds a doctorate degree in Biomedical Sciences (University of Massachusetts Medical School and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Consortium, MA, 1981) and a master’s degree in Biological Sciences (St. Joseph College, CT. 1971). He published his doctoral dissertation in four papers, one of which reported on original findings of a new Early Antigen Complex of the Epstein-Barre Virus, found to be associated with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. He later (1986) joined Dr. David J. Volsky at the University of Nebraska Medical Center where he did research work on the newly discovered HIV-AIDS. He generated several HIV isolates from blood samples of patients at risk for AIDS in the Greenwich Village area of New York City, and established an HIV-producer T cell line. His HIV isolates have been used in Dr. Volsky’s lab, now at Colombia University, to create a mouse model for AIDS studies, recently published in PNAS. He later went to work for Hoffmann-la-Roche (Roche Molecular Systems, RMS) where he co-pioneered in the application of PCR to the diagnosis of HIV, HTLV infections. While at RMS he created and published on a new, simpler and safer method for extraction of PCR-ready DNA from HIV-positive blood samples. His publications have been referenced to by many researchers. He spent the last two years of his medical research career at the Cancer Institute of NJ where he conducted anticancer drug work, and cloning of an aberrant Thymidine Kinase gene using RT-PCR, DNA cloning and gene sequencing. After retiring from medical research in 1997, he spent a few years retraining work-displaced persons in Allied Health Sciences, in the areas of Medical Insurance, ICD and CPT (diagnosis and medical procedure) coding, and Medical Accounting and Billing. He was born in Northern Italy, did junior college study at Colognes S/Saleve, Haute Savoie, France. He taught Sciences and French Composition overseas for four years before coming to the United States as an immigrant in 1964. He is married with three children: a boy Arni, now a Clinical Psychologist from Tufts and Harvard; and two daughters; Rosemary, a registered nurse, and Ellen, a college enrollee. He lives in Rockville MD with his wife Wu-Ji.

Staff Bios

Executive Director and Board Member: Mr. Chuukwu is CitiWide's Founder and Executive Director. Mr. Chuukwu is a long time educator whose specialty is in business management, technology and teaching. Since 1993, CitiWide has served more than 10,500 youth and adult helping them acquire computer skills, academic skills, soft skills and jobs. He worked as Finance/Professional Issues Associate with the American Psychological Association (APA) for 15 years. He served as a Board Member of the former Council of Latino Agencies, a network of 40 community-based organizations which offer a full range of education, employment, health, housing, economic development, legal, and cultural services to low-income families throughout the Washington metropolitan area (1997 to date). On September 26, 2003, Mr. Chuukwu was honored with an "Outstanding Community Technology Leader Award" at the Education Braintrust Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus. This award honors individuals who have shown remarkable leadership and initiative bringing technology and technology training to communities with low-access to technology.

Mr. Chuukwu attended Grace Polytechnic, Lagos Nigeria, an affiliate of Pitman College, London, UK in 1983. He attended American Management Association’s intensive executive management program in 20002. He graduated from Georgetown University Public Policy Institute in 2006 majoring in Nonprofit Management Executive Program, a postgraduate program for executive managers in the nonprofit sector.

2006-2007, Mr. Chuukwu graduated from Huntington College, where he attained an Assistant Director and Center Director and Franchisee Certifications. He is certified in Huntington Learning Center Teacher Training Certificate and is looking to set up a Huntington Learning Center in Washington, D.C. in 2007-2008.

Technology Director: Abraham Chemuit has been creating opportunities for the underserved in the fields of Computer and Math education for over 15 years. He is formerly the Telecommunications professional with Intelsat, Washington, DC, with extensive experience in satellite communications. He has expertise in satellite resource management, project management systems engineering and planning. He has strong skills in written, oral as well as inter-personal communication. He is well grounded in team-work, sales support and customer focus. He is certified in Microsoft Products, Windows XP Suite of software. He is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Swahili. He was Senior Capacity Planner, Sales Engineering and Technical Services at Intelsat. Provide technical support to the sales force in the preparation of Request for Proposals (RFPs) in response to tenders from customers. Designed a global network for Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia by providing satellite and cable media based capacity solutions, and analyzing associated link-budgets.   RFP submitted and tender won for up to 31 MHz worth of capacity. Supervise the transition from the Intelsat-804 satellite to the more powerful Intelsat-906 satellite at the 64 degrees East orbital location while at the same time mentoring new staff in the associated complex activities. He devised an optimal configuration for the new satellite resulting in a seamless transition with no interruptions to the numerous customers’ services. Analyzed link budget for best transponder flux densities ensuring minimal change in customers’ transmit Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP). Developed and implemented a post-transition plan to optimally utilize available satellite resources. 

Healthcare Staff

 Director of Clinical Training: Anastecia (Ann) Perpetua Ugwueke RN, BSN: 

Education: Bowie State University, Bowie, MD Bachelors Degree in Nursing: Graduated in May 2003 with total GPA 3.3. Currently applying for a Masters Program at George Washington University in order to maintain competent and loving care to patients. Ahmadu Bello University, School of Nursing, Zaria, Nigeria Associate Degree in Nursing: Graduated from general nursing program, after passing the Nigerian nursing and Midwifery Council Exams in 1996. Became licensed as a Registered Nurse and Certified Midwife in Nigeria in 1996 and passed NCLEX RN exam in March 1999. Our Lady of Apostles, School of Midwifery, Jos, Nigeria Midwife Certificate, Graduated from the school of Midwifery and passed Nigerian Midwifery Board Exams thus became a Registered Nurse and Midwife in 1996. Have experience in Labor and Delivery but have not pursued certification in Midwifery here in USA as at now. Certification: CPR certification was in Sept 19^th 2007 thus still current. Currently licensed as Registered Nurse in the State of New York, Texas, California and Washington DC. I am also ACLS certified in November 20^th, 2007. Presently at Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC: Clinical Nurse (Neuro-Telemetory): As a Registered Nurse in Neuro Unit, responsibility includes total care of patients including head to toe neuro assessment. Delegating other staff such as nursing assistance, unit secretary and performing ordered nursing procedure and serving prescribed medications. Constant observation, noting any abnormalities and notifying the doctors promptly as needed with proper documentation. Give updates and to other nursing staff during change of shift to ensure continuity of care and team work.  

Sofia Mekonnen, RN, B.Sc. – A dedicated, skilled RN with a broad range of healthcare experience. Academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Marymount University. Sofia is caring professional with superior communications and management skills. Holds a multi-state licensed as a registered nurse from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and also certified as an ACLS Provider from the American Heart Association. Ms. Mekonnen’s professional experience at Reston Hospital Center, Reston VA, November, 2007 –Date – as Alternate Charge Nurse – included direct nursing care within the Surgical/ Telemetry Unit. INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax VA, September, 2006 to date. PRN (as needed) – She performed direct nursing care following policy and procedure. She performed patient assessment, medication administration including high-risk medication and treatment as per doctor’s orders. Patient teaching including, family members where appropriate regarding diagnosis/prognosis and discharge plans. She also worked at Dewitt Army Hospital, Fairfax VA, July, 1999 –Date - (Family Healthcare Center of Fairfax); LPN/RN (FT-PRN) – and performed the office daily setup and close down processes. She scheduled cardiac procedures while carrying out the patient education and pre-testing required. She assisted the MD with minor surgery, biopsy and suture removals. She administered medication as ordered, various injections for infants to adults, and provided treatment including nebulizer and documents per protocol. She performed EKG, eye/ear irrigations as ordered. Also telephone triage per protocol. Refer patient to different MTF and civilian hospitals based on patient status, etc. Ms. Mekonnen graduated from Marymount University, VA- 2000-2006 - Bachelor of Science in Biology, North Virginia Community College, VA-2000-2006- Associate Degree in Nursing. She is a Registered Nurse, in the Commonwealth of Virginia Basic Life Support - Advanced Cardiac Life Support. She speaks three major languages, English, Amharic and Spanish.

 Administrative Assistant: Edna Carter is an administrative support provider with over 20 years of professional experience, providing dependable administrative support to professional organization. Front Desk Clerk Answer telephone; dispense in-house mail and other deliveries, putting slips in mail boxes of recipients; enter record of all incidents that occur in the building in a log; greet visitors and their guests, contractors and service persons for both the building and residents; screen persons who enter the building; watch surveillance monitors; assist with mass mailings to the owners and residents; respond to resident's requests in a courteous and professional manner; staying abreast of and enforcing the rules of the condominium. Quadel Consulting Corporation: -- Production Assistant - Performed administrative duties, which included assisting in document preparation (i.e., proposals, course books, correspondence, charts, etc.), word processing, duplication and binding; maintained filing and offsite storage of files; assisted in making staff travel reservations; organizing staff and corporate meetings, dealing with outside vendors and performing other duties as assigned. She performed customer service duties which included providing and receiving information, handling inquiries and performing other duties as assigned.

Interns and Volunteers