The partnership will provide tuition-free training for more than 540 job-seekers in Detroit, Philadelphia and Boston through training tracks customized for specific market demands.

March 28, 2019 – Today, national tech training nonprofit Per Scholas and full-stack technology services provider TEKsystems announced the launch of a talent transformation partnership at Diverse by Design, hosted by the National Society of Black Engineers at their 45th Annual Convention. The partnership will develop customized training tracks in the technology sector and will initially support job-seekers in Detroit, Philadelphia and Boston. This announcement is the latest joint effort by Per Scholas and TEKsystems to develop a strong and diverse talent pipeline for emerging U.S. tech hubs.

Over the next three years, Per Scholas will train at least 540 people for cutting-edge jobs in these technology-centric cities. TEKsystems’ investment will connect motivated and talented individuals with the critical skills employers are demanding across each market. Bringing this partnership to scale will ensure that future career opportunities are accessible by all communities and that equity is a primary consideration as regional and national economies develop. Nationally, 87 percent of Per Scholas students are people of color and 30 percent are women.

Successful graduates will partner with TEKsystems recruiters in each city and be given access to the full suite of graduate services Per Scholas provides with two years of alumni follow-up and support. Each training track will provide practical, hands-on training to participants, along with long-term career guidance and placement support. Skills-based training tracks will be determined from the demand in each local market and may include skills relevant to cyber security, software engineering and data engineering among others.

“We are thrilled to expand our engagement with TEKsystems to the diverse and vibrant cities of Detroit, Philadelphia and Boston. There is a rising demand for skilled tech talent across each of these tech hubs, and we look forward to supporting TEKsystems’ continued efforts to build an inclusive, resourceful and job-ready workforce,” said Per Scholas President and CEO Plinio Ayala.

Since Per Scholas and TEKsystems first partnered in 2013 the company has hired over 400 Per Scholas graduates across all their locations, reinforcing Per Scholas’ credentials as a hiring partner and training service provider. TEKsystems invested in a Per Scholas pilot in its home city of Baltimore, MD in 2018, hiring 60 percent of graduates within a month of completion.

“TEKsystems and Per Scholas share a commitment to creating opportunity,” said Jay Alvather, President, TEKsystems. “We’re proud to expand our partnership with Per Scholas and work together to close the skills gap and achieve greater diversity in technology.”

Per Scholas recently announced a five-year growth capital campaign to support scaling its proven model of effective IT training and placement across new regions. Ballmer Group, an inaugural supporter of this campaign, has provided Per Scholas with funding to develop the capacity and infrastructure that will allow for deeper collaboration and customization of training tracks with employers like TEKsystems.

“We know that quality training, coaching, and work experiences can help create new pathways to economic mobility,” said Terri Ludwig, President of Ballmer Group Philanthropy. “We are thrilled to support Per Scholas as they strengthen their impact with new partnerships and scale their proven model to new cities in the US.”

For additional information, please visit https://www.platformbyps.org/our-sponsors/teksystems.

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a national nonprofit that drives positive and proven social change in communities across the country. Through rigorous and tuition-free technology training and professional development, we prepare motivated and curious adults who are unemployed or underemployed for successful careers as technology professionals, and we create onramps to businesses in need of their talents. Today we provide our solutions in eight cities across the country: Atlanta, GA; Greater Boston, MA; Greater Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; the National Capital Region; Newark, NJ and New York, NY. To date, Per Scholas has trained 9,000 individuals, helping them build lasting, life-changing skills and careers in technology.

About TEKsystems

We’re partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500 across North America, Europe and Asia. As an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. That’s the power of true partnership. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company.

SOLUTIONS PANEL

Our Solutions Panel participants explored past experiences and bold ideas surrounding employers empowering the communities they reside in through sophisticated talent development and inclusion strategies. Jennifer Taylor stated, “Companies should take a look at the communities around them. Does your company reflect the community you reside in?” Anthony Murphy added, “I feel corporations have a responsibility to engage with their communities. In order to be the change you want to see in your community, you have to become apart of the community.”

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR PER SCHOLAS GREATER BOSTON’S NETWORK SUPPORT COHORT LAUNCHING IN OCTOBER.

Per Scholas Greater Boston will be working with local communities and stakeholders to offer no cost technology skills training programs and career support services.

Per Scholas, a national tech training nonprofit that has successfully served thousands of low-income job-seekers since 1995, announced that it will be expanding its proven training model to the Greater Boston region. Beginning this spring, Per Scholas Greater Boston will provide no cost skills training, talent development and career placement support to local residents interested in pursuing or deepening a career in technology.

With the launch of Per Scholas Greater Boston, the organization now operates in eight cities across seven different states. Per Scholas collaborates closely with employers, government agencies, philanthropies, and non-profit organizations to develop a more diverse and inclusive technology workforce. Nationwide, Per Scholas has an 85% graduation rate, an 80% placement rate for graduates and students increase wages by 400%, on average, in their first tech role.

“We are thrilled to announce that Per Scholas will be expanding into Greater Boston and surrounding neighborhoods. The continued growth of the region’s tech hub has created a growing demand for qualified and diverse tech talent among employers and produced career pathways for local residents. In the years ahead, we look forward to engaging with the Greater Boston community to expand access to meaningful employment opportunities and further bolster the tech talent pipeline,” said Plinio Ayala, President and CEO of Per Scholas.

Per Scholas Greater Boston is currently accepting applications for its inaugural class and will extend enrollment opportunities to a select number of applicants following its comprehensive admissions process. Enrolled students are expected to complete a 4 month course that will prepare them for in-demand IT roles within the Greater Boston business community. Upon completing the initial program, Per Scholas Greater Boston graduates will have access to a minimum of two years of dedicated alumni career support services.

Greater Boston community members interested in applying for the free technical training offered by Per Scholas can visit www.perscholas.org/greaterboston to submit an application. Applications are now open for the first IT Support class which will begin in April, and admissions will be conducted on a rolling basis for future classes throughout the year.

Per Scholas will be housed at at 255 Main Street in Cambridge as part of a workforce development initiative activated by the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority and Boston Properties. Just steps from the Kendall/MIT Red Line T stop, Per Scholas Greater Boston will feature state-of-the-art classrooms designed to facilitate the hands-on instruction of today’s most in-demand technology skills identified by regional employer partners throughout New England. The expansion is made possible with generous support provided by BlackRock, Salesforce.org, SkillWorks, and The Boston Foundation.

“Across the nation, Per Scholas continues to play a pivotal role in building a technology workforce that is increasingly skilled, equitable and diverse,” said Ebony Frelix Beckwith, EVP and Chief Philanthropy Officer, Salesforce.org. “Per Scholas has developed a blueprint for producing effective and meaningful social impact in communities all over the country, and we’re excited to support their expansion to Greater Boston.”

“We are excited to support Per Scholas’ expansion to Greater Boston,” said Marybeth Campbell, Executive Director, SkillWorks. “Representing public and private interests, we see an immediate need for workforce providers to collaborate directly with regional Boston employers to improve skill development and fuel talent pipelines within the commonwealth.”

“We are excited to be able to support Per Scholas’ expansion to Greater Boston as part of our ongoing commitment to close the opportunity gap in Greater Boston,” said Orlando C. Watkins, Vice President for Programs at The Boston Foundation. “By creating new pathways into Greater Boston’s strong tech economy, Per Scholas is helping to develop a workforce that better reflects our region’s diversity, and providing opportunities that can change the life trajectories of workers and their families.”

“Year Up is thrilled to partner with Per Scholas to expand technology skills training and professional development opportunities to the Greater Boston community,” said Gerald Chertavian, founder & CEO of Year Up. “Led by newly appointed Managing Director, Robin Nadeau, with over twenty years of experience in the field, Per Scholas will offer a critical resource to support this region to achieve the scale and impact needed to meet the growing employer demand for qualified professionals. Per Scholas’ proven model has demonstrated social and economic impact for families across the country and we are looking forward to partnering with them as they include Greater Boston as one of their new locations.”

“Jewish Vocational Service welcomes Per Scholas to the Greater Boston community. As our region continues to develop the resources and infrastructure needed to support both the business sector and community growth, Per Scholas’ proven model will provide a comprehensive pathway to long term sustainable career success,” said Jerry Rubin, President and CEO, Jewish Vocational Service. “We look forward to partnering with Per Scholas to recruit, train and place individuals into technology careers and strengthening equity and inclusion across Boston’s growing workforce.”

“At Cambridge Family and Children’s Service, we know that a good job can change everything for an individual and their family. The opportunity Per Scholas’ training will offer to families in Cambridge and the Greater Boston area goes beyond increased earning potential,” said Robert Gittens, Executive Director, Cambridge Family and Children’s Service. “These sustainable careers can provide sizeable income gains, and in turn, access to affordable healthcare, food security, paid time and childcare. Further, these changes will have a lasting impact beyond the present and impact the lives of children and grandchildren who may themselves grow up passionate about the world of tech. I’m happy to welcome Robin Nadeau into her new role as Managing Director of the Per Scholas Greater Boston site. With her years of experience in workforce development and working with communities, coupled with her passion for creating access and opportunity, she is the ideal person to launch and lead the growth of this new opportunity in our area.”

Support Per Scholas Where You Work

For over 20 years, the Asset Recovery Program at Per Scholas has been responsible for collecting excess or retired IT hardware from numerous business clients, large and small. Any proceeds obtained from valuable equipment are used to supplement our traditional fundraising. This directly supports our important mission of providing cost-free tech training and job placement services to thousands of talented, diverse, but often overlooked participants.

How You Can “Give Back”

We appreciate any business referrals to our Asset Recovery program for decommissioned hardware collection and processing. Typically, our best referrals are to IT managers or others directly involved with their organization’s retired computer hardware. We can retrieve equipment from almost any location nationally or internationally!

Please Share Referrals With Us…

We warmly welcome referrals to organizations with quality, high-volume equipment available. Some of our premier clients have included Estee Lauder, Federal Reserve Bank of NY, Planned Parenthood, Mastercard, Amazon.com and Conde Nast just to name a few. If you have a referral you’d like to share with us, please email their contact name, title, email address and phone(if available) to: zrooks@perscholas.org.

Damien Howard, Vice President of Social Ventures at Per Scholas, has just returned from a meeting with a small group of technology leaders. It was a room of approximately 35 white men, and Damien was the sole African American among them. The optic of that room illuminates a situation that Damien is working hard to address. He says the group acknowledged that there is a deep problem with diversity and representation in technology, and they want to hear from people with solutions that could lead to progress. Damien is glad to be one of those people.

Damien never likes to speak ill of people, so he leaves names and titles out as he relates an anecdote from several years ago. He was leading the Business Development team at Per Scholas in New York, which meant that he was cultivating a wide variety of industry contacts. He had taken a few very positive calls with a particular firm, and the relationship had progressed to a face-to-face meeting. He arrived at the office and was asked to wait alone in a conference room. After some time, the individual he was scheduled to meet with came in, and after studying Damien’s face he asked, “are you Damien?” Damien said that he was, and the individual asked him to wait a bit longer. After several more minutes, the receptionist came into the room and told him that the meeting would not be happening after all.

In that moment, Damien confronted the reality of the biases and prejudices that perpetuate the uneven playing field in tech, and in American corporate culture at large. He was inspired in that moment to do something that might change the playing field. Damien recalls a poem by Tupac Shakur, “The Rose that Grew from Concrete”:

The poem had been mentioned at a conference that Damien attended, and it made him recall his thoughts on the piece: “I started thinking about that poem again, about the resilience of a rose growing between the cracks in the cement,” Damien explains. “Per Scholas students are dealing with scenarios and challenges that vary drastically, that have forced them to be strong. However, there are times that the rose shouldn’t have to work so hard to be great. Yes, we have to celebrate the resilience of the rose, but we also have to deal with the environment. We have to talk about the cement.” Damien takes the metaphor a step further: “Hard work is necessary, but when you intentionally pour cement on the ground to make it harder, we have to ask why you’re only pouring the cement on 125th street and not on 23rd street.”

Damien sees himself in Shakur’s poem. He describes his childhood in Harlem as buoyed by the perseverance, poise, grace and power of his mother, who built stability into his life despite his father and brothers’ involvement in the street. “She taught me never to accept disrespect or mistreatment from anyone, and always to own my own narrative,” he says. In light of that influence, it’s not surprising that he took his conference room rejection as an opportunity to become inspired.

Diverse by Design is a conversation series on building diversity and inclusion in the tech workforce that is co-sponsored by Per Scholas and the IT Senior Management Forum (ITSMF). The series has staged six events since 2016. Damien began Diverse by Design, along with his Per Scholas colleague Ken Walker, and the partnership of Viola Maxwell-Thompson, President and CEO of ITSMF. Damien also credits meaningful contributions from Stephanie LeBlanc of Google, who secured venues for three Diverse by Design events, and has been a powerful voice in the conversation series.

It all came together for Damien at a quarterly ITSMF event in Cincinnati. “It was the first time I was in a room full of 150-200 African American business leaders and C-Suite professionals—talent from middle management to executive,” explains Damien. “It was a real game changer for me—a defining moment. I knew I was going to have an uphill battle getting Diverse by Design started, and Ken was critical. When I’m out talking with business contacts, it’s so rare to see people of color or women. In Cincinnati I could see the timing was right, and now I have partners to get this going.”

Damien is proud and amazed that Diverse by Design is moving into its 7^th event. Since 2016, conversations have been held in New York, NY; Washington, D.C.; Kansas City, MO; Mountainview, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; and Dallas, TX. These events bring together c-suite thought leaders to discuss best practices, and collaboratively develop solutions to forge a more direct path for businesses to attract, develop, and retain a more diverse and inclusive workforce. They also provide a venue for up-and-coming talent and executives alike to network and get to know each other. Additionally, Diverse by Design is the reason why Per Scholas is now working with CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion which is being lead by PwC. On March 28^th, Diverse by Design will head to Detroit, MI, to host a conversation on “empowering where we work”, which will take a community-first approach to diverse hiring challenges in Detroit and across the United States.

Damien says he is gratified that the conversations are influencing concrete action at participating organizations. Per Scholas has entered into customized training partnerships with companies such as Cognizant, resulting in Platform by Per Scholas. Additionally, the Diverse by Design National Working Group is pursuing pre-employment training models with a number of organizations.

“Diversity is a wide lens,” Damien says. “You have to include Latin Americans, women, people of all creeds. You have to find organizations with similar strengths and expand the scope. Diverse by Design goes way beyond Per Scholas. Yes, we created it, but it’s an opportunity to join arms with other high performing workforce development and corporate partners. We can create a coalition of powerhouses. We can do this together and have a greater impact if we combine our resources.”

In five years, Damien expects Diverse by Design to have helped 20 companies move into some form of customized training model. Through open dialogue and thought leadership, he expects the initiative to continue to push the needle on inclusion in the tech workforce, and to help more companies and industry leaders understand that a diverse workforce will benefit their businesses. “I think we can have an impact around the attitude and mindset in corporate America, and some kind of impact on policy as we move forward. Diverse by Design will move into a national call to action, so we can account for the work that we can do collectively with other workforce development organizations,” says Damien. He is optimistic about the future: “Diverse by design will help break up the cement for diverse IT talent, for our roses to be able to flourish and thrive without artificial barriers placed in front of them.”

To learn more about Diverse by Design, visit the website and browse previous events. You can answer Damien’s call to action by registering to join the next conversation in Detroit on March, 28^th.

National tech training nonprofit Per Scholas and technology education company, General Assembly, celebrated New York’s 10th CodeBridge graduation on January 16th. Graduates were joined by Noemi Derzsy, Senior Inventive Scientist, AT&T; Julie Dillman, Global Operations and Technology Officer, Chubb; and Senior React Engineer, Marcos Wade, Madison Square Garden.

There was excitement in the air, as a group of vibrant, tech-savvy professionals entered General Assembly’s New York headquarters on this cool, winter evening. The audience was buzzing with friends, family, staff, and prospective employers, all enthused to be in attendance of the 10th graduating CodeBridge cohort. In addition, more than twenty-five alumni returned for a night of celebration filled with reflection, reminiscing and encouragement for their eager counterparts.

Noemi Derzsy, Senior Inventive Scientist of AT&T highlighted the value in addressing the opportunity gap that keeps many individuals trapped in the cycle of unemployment or low-quality jobs. She emphasized her appreciation of AT&T and Per Scholas’ partnership noting, “we deeply value your continued support and commitment to transforming the lives of ambitious individuals from overlooked communities”.

Chubb’s Global Operations and Technology Officer, Julie Dillman congratulated CodeBridge graduates on their accomplishments, acknowledging the technical expertise and skills gained through this full-time web development immersive training. She expressed Chubb’s confidence in the training received through the partnership by noting, “we are so confident that Per Scholas has prepared exceptional talent that we are personally hiring several of you.”

Following the graduation, Chubb has indeed personally extended job offers to several CodebBridge graduates. Per Scholas embraces the opportunity to continue to be a source of top technical talent to our corporate partners through our employer-informed program.

Marcos Wade, Per Scholas alumni and Senior React Engineer of Madison Square Garden advises Per Scholas graduates on the perseverance and determination needed to attain success. Back in 2016, Marcos was working as a freelance photographer, with no college degree and limited employment options.

After researching free career development programs online, Marcos came across Per Scholas. He was admitted into the first CodeBridge cohort where he committed himself to the full-time, web development training for 18 weeks. After completing the program in early 2017, Marcos went on to work several short-term gigs as a Full Stack Web Developer.

“Follow the advice given to you in your outcomes training. Network and continue to code. Go on interview after interview and don’t stop trying. If it wasn’t for failing on several interviews I don’t think I would have been ready for the success I’ve found at MSG.”

In February of last year, Marcos landed his full-time position as Senior React Engineer for Madison Square Garden, where he is now earning nearly 5x times his pre-training income.

CodeBridge is an 18-week web development training course that begins with six weeks of learning at Per Scholas, where students are prepared with the necessary skills to then move on to General Assembly’s twelve-week full stack web development course. The course allows Per Scholas and General Assembly to serve 70 additional students every year at no cost, and significantly adds to New York’s pipeline of diverse coding talent. Both Per Scholas and General Assembly are committed to offering tech training to students from overlooked communities, and this program would not be possible without the generous support of Per Scholas Partners like Champion Partner AT&T, Signature Partner Salesforce.org, the Chubb Charitable Foundation, BNYMellon, Jobs for the Future, and News Corp.

Dear Per Scholas Supporters,

As Per Scholas starts the new year, I am so excited and grateful to report about the progress of our 2018 year-end giving campaign, Tech Powered by Families. Our extraordinarily generous supporters have given more than $750,000 — exceeding our $600,000 goal! Thank you for sharing our conviction that tuition-free technology training and certification at Per Scholas empowers our communities to thrive and families to grow stronger.

I can’t begin to tell you how much of a difference your gifts make. As Per Scholas plans to enroll 2,000 job seekers in 2019 across the United States, your contributions will pay for instructors in our classrooms, and provide books, materials, and the latest technology for our students. Your generosity will make it possible for us to expand operations to new cities, and reach talented future tech professionals who otherwise wouldn’t be able to take advantage of the opportunity to study at Per Scholas. I am truly amazed by this support and humbled by the faith so many have put in us.

At Per Scholas, we believe in the power of families to inspire fantastic accomplishments, and we are excited to grow with the talented and ambitious students we will serve across the United States this year. The incredible success of our year-end campaign demonstrates that we are not alone.

On behalf of all our students, alumni, staff and volunteers, thank you again. My very best wishes for you and yours in 2019.

Sincerely,

As Director of Business Solutions in Cincinnati, Dave Matre has been the primary liaison between employers, recruiters and staffing agencies, and Per Scholas graduates in the region since 2014. He uses his knowledge and expertise to advise Per Scholas alumni on conducting successful job searches, helping them to kickstart their technology careers. We asked him what advice he would share with Per Scholas alumni nationwide.

Finding Employment IS a Job!

First, I would suggest getting organized. There are many ways to do this but here are a few guidelines to consider:

1. Establish a professional email (if you haven’t already) which has your name in it. This will make it very easy for a potential employer to get a hold of you. Check this email location several times throughout any given day so you can respond quickly when contacted.
2. Use a daily planner or a legal pad as a single source for all of your correspondence. Write down the date and time of each inquiry or application or resume submission. At that point, consider a time in the future that you will conduct a follow up with your application or submission to inquire as to the status. I would recommend considering a week to ten days out – then write that date down and follow up on the status of your submission on that date.
3. I would recommend a similar follow up method for any phone, Skype or face to face interviews. If the interviewer states they will get back to you by a certain date, I would consider simply asking them if it would be ok for you to follow up with them a few days after that date if you haven’t heard anything back by the date they stated. This gives you their ‘permission’ to follow up and they will then perhaps be more receptive if they get busy and are unable to get back with you as they had originally stated.

Next, I would highly recommend networking with your current contacts and expanding your network of connections and contacts.

1. LinkedIn is a great professional tool for this. I would suggest developing a professional profile. Perhaps look at some other profiles of individuals you know in the industry or look at some other Per Scholas graduates’ profiles for content and get some ideas from them. Also, your Per Scholas Career Development Director can assist with this as well as your Business Solutions Director.
2. Start sending requests to connect (on Linkedin) with others in the profession and in the business community overall as well as Per Scholas Staff members and previous Per Scholas graduates.

Then, I would also suggest using all tools and contacts available to you for research on companies, individuals (i.e. a recruiter or an interviewer etc.).

1. Certainly the internet is a good source for information on companies and individuals. I would recommend using it extensively and start writing down notes by companies where you have applied or companies you are targeting for employment opportunities.
2. Another great source for information on companies hiring and individuals is Linkedin. You will also find that you may be connected with someone who is employed by a company where you have applied or you may be connected to someone who is connected to an individual at a particular company and they can introduce you or endorse you!

I would also suggest other methods of networking such as joining some local IT groups and local networking groups. These groups typically sponsor workshops, seminars or breakfasts, lunches, or after work hour events where you can mingle and expand your network and uncover new potential opportunities.

Finally, some points to consider:

1. Follow the professional guidelines your Career Development Director has provided. I would recommend asking your Career Development Director and your Business Solutions Director if you can use them as a reference.
2. I would also recommend keeping in touch with your Career Development Director and your Business Solutions Director throughout your career search. They can often provide suggestions and ideas or contacts which can assist with your employment search.
3. Remember, you are: Dependable, Reliable; and Tech Savvy. Our programs are structured to cultivate and assure these traits.
4. The differentiating factors which will set you apart from the rest of other applicants for any given position also include: Interpersonal skills and ATTITUDE.
5. Don’t give up! There are more employment opportunities available than there are people to fill them and you are well qualified for many of these.

On January 16, Per Scholas, a national tech training non-profit, announced a $31 million-dollar growth capital campaign, with initial support from Ballmer Group, Laura and John Arnold Foundation and The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation. This campaign will help secure the additional philanthropic investments Per Scholas needs over the next five years to achieve its strategic expansion goals. Specifically, the nonprofit is looking to expand its programming to serve 4,000 new technology career students a year across at least 10 locations. Read the full press release here.

In our 23-year history, Per Scholas has propelled 9,000 individuals from often overlooked communities into sustainable careers through tuition-free tech training. Fueled by data driven outcomes and two third-party randomized control studies, Per Scholas’ aggressive goals are designed to increase its impact on entire cities and regions, by substantially increasing the number of skilled technology workers to achieve regional economic development goals.

Specifically, these goals include:

• Train 4,000+ new students a year by 2023 (+200% growth), by growing employer-paid, customized training for large-volume employers and adding new training tracks in new markets
• Foster a more equitable and diverse tech sector and open more accessible pathways to tech employment by further demonstrating the quality and impact of Per Scholas training through a third randomized control study and leading original industry and public policy research to highlight best practices for employers to increase diversity
• Build the foundation for future sustainability and growth, through the increase of earned income from employers to 50% of annual revenue, doubling the return on every philanthropic dollar

With this end goal in mind, Per Scholas has started fundraising, having already reached the halfway point at $15.8 million. Generous donors, including Ballmer Group, Laura and John Arnold Foundation, and The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation, have been instrumental in making this possible. Read the full press release here and the Growth Capital Campaign document, here.

Transportation is a major expense for Per Scholas students, so Community Engagement Associate, Mark Wiltshire, wanted to find a way to cut the cost of getting to class every day. He initiated a bike share program to give New York Per Scholas students and staff a discount on memberships to CitiBike, providing them with a more affordable option. Check out this video from CitiBike and NYC DOT to see Mark explain the program in his own words.