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New Immigrant Workforce Program Launched
Employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 15 percent over the next ten years, much faster than average. In Pennsylvania, healthcare and social assistance represent nearly 20% of the employment market. On September 28, Literacy Pittsburgh, in collaboration with the Jewish Family and Community Services Career Development Center, launched the newest session of the Immigrant Workforce Program (IWP), designed specifically to help immigrant professionals pursue a career path within the healthcare industry. Immigrants want to be successful in the United States, but sometimes need help along the way. The program allows immigrants to improve their English and gain access to resources for career development. Read more.
Strategic Plan Update: Education Provides Opportunity
The world was very different when we started our strategic planning process in January of this year. Life across the globe has been upended by a global pandemic and unprecedented economic challenges. These seismic shifts have been accompanied by a growing awareness of the challenges the U.S. faces because of deep, historic, and widening racial inequities of opportunity, freedom, and well-being.
We know we have an imperative to improve the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors. Helping more adults attain a high school credential, learn English, and build job skills will move them toward family-sustaining careers.
Literacy Pittsburgh’s 2020-2023 Strategic Plan builds upon our distinguished history and commits us to a focused, agile, and innovative future. Our overarching focus is to ensure that Literacy Pittsburgh is Ready, Relevant, and Sustainable so that we may meet the needs of our students, both today and in the years to come. In each of the next three issues of The Spark Online, we will share the goals, priorities, and key performance metrics for each of these three pillars.
Spotlight on Success: Dalila
Dalila came to the U.S. last October from Algeria, a country with little private industry and a pre-pandemic unemployment rate of 12%. Dalila and her husband knew that the U.S. offered greater job opportunities, so they made the difficult decision to leave their homeland. She began learning English at Literacy Pittsburgh in July of this year.
She and 5-year-old Haroun attend classes in our Family Literacy program. Leaving her homeland behind was not easy, but Dalila is grateful for the support she’s received in Pittsburgh. We interviewed Dalila recently about her experiences. Read more.
Take Action for Our Students
We encourage you to take action this month and let state legislators know about the importance of Literacy Pittsburgh's work to make lives better through learning.
Literacy Pittsburgh’s state contract was cut by 38% when Pennsylvania enacted a partial year budget in response to the economic impact of COVID-19. This cut threatens our ability to serve a growing number of adults who have lost jobs and need to improve skills to stage their comeback. Read more.
Why I Volunteer at Literacy Pittsburgh
Bob Howell started volunteering with Literacy Pittsburgh earlier this year. He is currently teaching English to a young woman from Kyrgyzstan, who wants to improve her grammar and get a better job. We asked Bob to talk about his experiences as a volunteer tutor.
What led you to volunteer at Literacy Pittsburgh?
An excellent article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette led me to you. I have had a long and varied association with immigrants going back to the 1940s. As a relatively recent member of the Pittsburgh community, I had been looking for a good way to give back to the community. Read more.
Live (Virtual) Tutor Trainings Resume
Next month, we will resume live training for our introductory session, giving prospective tutors an opportunity to ask questions and interact with each other. The number of attendees will be limited to ensure an interactive, personal experience.
This Part 1 Introductory Tutor Training will focus on your role as a literacy tutor, adult learners and their goals, and the resources and support you will receive as a tutor. Part 2 will be completed via online modules. Details will be provided in the introductory workshop. For Part 2, you will choose to focus on either Adult Basic Education (reading, writing, math) or English Language Learning (ELL/ESL). These sessions will focus on specific teaching techniques to help students meet their individual goals.
Our goal is to ensure that you feel prepared and supported as a tutor. We want both you and your student to succeed! To learn more about becoming a volunteer tutor, click here.
Literacy Pittsburgh in the News
Literacy Pittsburgh has been featured in several news outlets over the past month. Check out these stories about Literacy Month, our need for volunteer tutors, and how we are addressing the challenges of COVID-19.
iHeart Radio: Celebrating Literacy Month
On the Frontline: DHS Provider Profile
Pittsburgh Quarterly: Just askin’… Carey Harris
KDKA-TV: Literacy Pittsburgh in need of volunteers for adult education programs
Made in PGH: Change lives with Literacy Pittsburgh
Meet Our Staff
Congratulations to Katie and Allegra who were recognized in our Staff Kudos program last month for going above and beyond.
Katie Murphy
Instructor
Katie teaches Adult Basic Education and High School Equivalency to some of the smartest, coolest people in Allegheny County. She is inspired by her family, students, and friends (the order depends on the day). She loves to travel and the best advice she has been given is “Katie, you need to chill out” by her toddler son.
Allegra Elson
Instructor
Allegra works with English Language Learners on many aspects of their lives in the U.S. from language to community to work. The most exciting project she is currently working on is the Immigrant Workforce Program. Her favorite thing to do outside of work is a nap. The best advice she has been given is that “you can be whatever or whomever you want to be!”
Did You Know?
Last program year, 29 students became U.S. citizens, granting them the right to vote in this year's Presidential election.
