Literacy Pittsburgh Student Newsletter ![]() GED Graduation Celebration On Thursday, May 11, Literacy Pittsburgh hosted its first GED graduation in over 3 years! All 130+ graduates from the last several years were invited to attend graduation. We welcomed 35 graduates and their families and friends to Foerster Student Services Auditorium at CCAC Allegheny Campus. Some of our graduates passed as recently as May 10, including one that drove all the way to Slippery Rock University to take the last section needed to graduate! Celeste Smith, Senior Program Officer for Arts and Culture at The Pittsburgh Foundation, gave a wonderful speech congratulating the graduates. Celeste focused her speech on the fact that not only did they do this difficult task (passing the GED), but they did also it during a tremendously difficult time in the world. We at Literacy Pittsburgh are constantly impressed by our students' perseverance! After the students walked across the stage and got to shake hands and hug all the teachers and tutors that helped them. Dejah Monea sang a beautiful rendition of "Rise Up" by Andra Day. Continuing with a Literacy Pittsburgh tradition, we ended the ceremony with an open mic. Parents, children, partners, and friends lined up to praise and congratulate their graduates. "Proud" was the word of the night! Congratulations to all our graduates! We look forward to hosting our next graduation in the spring of 2024. ![]() Upcoming Class Are you looking for work? Do you want to make money as a cleaner? Do you want to work in hospitals or hotels? We have a new online English class starting soon. This class will help you with English to find a job in cleaning. This class will include:
📍Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 20 to August 10 You need U.S. work authorization for this class. Do you want to come to this class? Please email or text Vince. Student & Career Services Updates Career Spotlight: Construction Laborers ![]() ![]() Do you like working with your hands? Are you not afraid of physical labor? Consider becoming a Construction Laborer! This job doesn’t need any formal education– but it does help to have knowledge of high school mathematics and be able to read a blueprint. Construction laboring is a hands-on job, and all training will be done on the job. The entry level wage to be in construction is $32,030, but with more experience, you could be making closer to $55,190. Important qualities you need for this job include: physical stamina, physical strength, mechanical skills, math skills, and color vision. The benefits? There are a variety of jobs to pick from, and you can go almost anywhere. Interested in a job as a construction laborer? Contact Career Services at cangelo@literacypittsburgh.org! Upcoming Workshops and Events New Choices Career Development Class Literacy Pittsburgh will be working with PA Women Work to bring back the “New Choices” class once more. This course helps students to sharpen employment skills such as resume building, interviewing, accepting job offers, and more. As always, Literacy Pittsburgh students of all genders are welcome to benefit from this program. ![]() CCAC Information Session The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) will be speaking at Literacy Pittsburgh. CCAC will speak with any Literacy Pittsburgh, former and current, students. They will present information about programs they provide, their costs, financial aid and any questions the students may have. Cover Letter Workshop Applying to jobs? Looking to improve your chances of getting an interview? Cover letters can be an important part of your application to an employer. Join Margaret Lizzi from JFCS's Career Development Center to learn more about how you can use a cover letter and an e-note to stand out. Bidwell Information Session Thinking of going back to school but nervous about the price of college? Looking for programs that will teach you what you need to know quickly, so that you can get out into the workforce? Bidwell is a local free educational institution offering some high-quality programs. Located in the Northside, Bidwell offers certifications ranging from Culinary Arts, Horticulture, Medical Coding/Billing, Pharmacy Tech, and more. Literacy Pittsburgh’s Career Advisor, Callie Angelo, will be hosting a virtual information session to introduce students to the school, programs, application process and requirements, and student supports that are available. Participants can then sign up for one of several in-person tours of the facility in the Northside (dates to be determined), where they can speak to
representatives of the school and even begin the application process on-site. Urban Seniors Jobs Program The Urban League Seniors Jobs Program partners with local nonprofit and government programs to create opportunities for participants to improve their skills at no cost to the organization. ![]() The program allows seniors to re-enter the workforce by giving them opportunities to build and improve their skills. The program teaches participants about about job readiness, life and computer skills, and career exploration. The program pays seniors a stipend for their training with the organization. The program is 4 years long with the goal of helping seniors to find full/part time employment as a result. The requirements to join the program are:
For more information, please call (412) 325-3921. World Square 📍 June 2 - 4 and June 9 - 11 Welcoming Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership are proud to again to present the World Square event, to celebrate and welcome our local international communities. ![]() ![]() Market Square will have food, traditions, artists, performers and local businesses from Pittsburgh's international and immigrant communities. To learn more about the event, find more information here. World Refugee Day Pittsburgh 2023 Come enjoy Pittsburgh’s World Refugee Day and Immigrant Heritage Month Celebration! 📍 Tuesday, June 20 from 4 - 8pm This in-person event is a collaboration among community groups, advocates, and friends. The event is a symbol of the welcoming and inclusivity in our region and all over the world. ![]() Student Success StoriesCongratulations to the following students! Doug and Antonio are practicing their words per minute/typing skills at Duquesne EARN in Teacher Lynn's class. They are practicing their digital skills while searching for a job. Literacy Pittsburgh CEO Carey Harris taught a 12-week Business English class for advanced English language learners. The amazing group of students came from all over the world and brought impressive professional experience and credentials. The class is continuing to stay in touch to practice English. ![]() One of the students attending this month's graduation ceremony was Breezy, who earned her GED diploma just days before this year’s ceremony. In fact, she was so eager to attend that she registered for graduation before she had even passed her last test! ![]() Dorothy also recently earned her GED diploma. Dorothy said “This opens many doors for me. It also gives me self-satisfaction, fulfillment and self-worth.” ![]() Congratulations to all of the students in Adrianna's Computer Basics class for passing the Northstar assessment and earning a certificate! The class is hosted by the South Hills Interfaith Movement. Literacy Pittsburgh offers classes at partner sites throughout Allegheny and Beaver counties. ![]() Share your success story with us! You can help inspire others who are overcoming barriers and working toward their goals. Email it to Najlaa at nebrahim@literacypittsburgh.org “Success is a learnable skill." |