"I was working at a fast food place and knew..."

“I was working at a fast food place and knew I wasn’t living up to my full potential. ”

That thought struck Iris Ortiz of Bridgeport a little over a year ago as she took yet another order for a burger and fries.

The Bullard- Havens Technical High School student wanted to learn more about computers than she was learning in school and at work.

“I wanted to expand my skills and learn new programs,” she said.

A faculty member from the Bridgeport Area Youth Ministry taught computer classes at Iris' school. He told her about the organization's Computer Genesis program, an intensive computer training course made possible with support form donors at the Fairfield County Community Foundation.

Iris jumped at the opportunity.

Over eight weeks she excelled in the program, learning everything from advanced keyboard shortcuts to “taking computers apart and putting them back together.”

Following her training, Iris started working at BAYM, where she provides customer service, serves as a teaching assistant and even helps with fundraising and writing grant proposals for the nonprofit organization.

Now a night student at Housatonic Community College, Iris said her training at BAYM opened her eyes to a world of possibilities.

Her new goal is to become a veterinarian.

While that seems far removed from technology, Iris said everything she has learned at BAYM will play a role in her future career.

Most importantly, she said, her training at BAYM gave her the confidence to dream big.