Confidence Through Technology: Mark’s Story

A World That Moved Online

When Mark Givner began looking for work after incarceration, the world around him had changed. What once lived in newspapers and paper forms had moved online. Job applications were digital. Employers expected emails, uploaded documents, and basic computer skills. For Mark, this shift felt overwhelming — not because he lacked motivation, but because he didn’t know where to begin.

“I realized I needed a computer,” Mark shared. “And I needed to figure out how to use it just to get into the system.”

That moment led him to connect with a Digital Navigator from the Center for Digital Equity (CDE). Digital Navigators are trained community members who provide one-on-one help with technology — from learning the basics to using online services for work, health, and everyday life. Their role is simple but powerful: meet people where they are and help them move forward at their own pace.

Naimah Martin, a Senior Digital Navigator with CDE, remembers her first conversation with Mark clearly. She heard more than a request for technical help — she heard determination.

“He wanted assistance. He wanted to learn. He wanted to be educated on the things that could improve his life,” Naimah said.

Building Confidence Through Support

Together, they started with the basics. Mark learned how to use a laptop, navigate the internet, complete online applications, and send emails. These skills may seem small, but for Mark, they opened the door to something much bigger: confidence.

For a long time, Mark had relied on his wife to help with anything involving a computer. Slowly, that began to change.

“It took a long time for me to get away from always depending on my wife,” he said. “Now she’ll walk in the room, and I’ll be on my laptop by myself.”

The shift wasn’t just technical — it was personal.

“At one point, I thought I couldn’t,” Mark reflected. “But Naimah had me believing that I could. She didn’t make me believe in her. She made me believe in myself.”

As Naimah watched Mark’s confidence grow, she saw firsthand why Digital Navigation matters. “I saw his confidence come to life when he could navigate the internet, pull up websites, and send emails for jobs,” she said. “Those skills are needed.”

This kind of one-on-one support is at the heart of CDE’s work. Digital Navigators don’t just teach tools — they build trust, create connection, and help people see what’s possible. As Naimah explained, “There are people who don’t know how to use a laptop or navigate the internet. As Digital Navigators, we’re here to offer that support and guidance — and help people go on to teach others too.”

A Path Forward

Today, Mark is thriving at work and has even been offered a promotion into a role that requires more computer use. Whether he takes that next step now or later, he knows he’s ready.

“I felt like I was part of a society,” Mark said. “Like I was part of a people who helped me understand something I had no knowledge about.”

His message to others is simple and powerful: “Don’t give up on yourself. You are valuable. Take the time to invest in yourself — because when you do, people are paying attention.”

Mark’s story reflects what’s possible when communities invest in people, skills, and support. Through Digital Navigators, the Center for Digital Equity works alongside community members to make sure technology becomes a tool for growth — not a barrier.

Because sometimes, learning how to use a computer is about much more than technology. It’s about confidence, connection, and believing in what comes next.