Career Services at Literacy Pittsburgh  

Literacy Pittsburgh's Student and Career Services team has opportunities that can help you complete your education and plan for your future. Here are some of the ways that Student Services can help you.

• Career Classes – Join classes like the New Choices Career Development class offered by our partners at PA Women Work or look for announcements about other classes on topics like job searching. Career classes can be attended in addition to other classes or tutoring. 
• Workshops – Workshops are offered once a month on topics like resume and cover letter writing, American workforce culture, job search, and more. 
• Information Sessions – Attend virtual sessions to learn more about local schools or employers like CCAC and Bidwell. During these sessions, our partners share information about their programs and admissions, allowing students to ask questions. Students can just come and learn about the options – you do not have to apply to the school or employer. 
• Career Advising – Meet one-on-one with a Literacy Pittsburgh or partner career advisor. Career advisors can help you prepare to enter the workforce or explore career and educational options.

If you would like any help from our student services team, please contact Cailynne Angelo, our Career Advisor at cangelo@literacypittsburgh.org.

Literacy Pittsburgh Community Resource Fair

Immigrant Workforce Program (IWP) Summer Cohort

Join Quantum Theater for Community Night

Join Quantum Theatre for a free preview of Hamlet before it officially opens the following night! Quantum Theatre has updated the classic Shakespeare play with rock n’ roll and modern storytelling.

Supplementary Listening Resources for English Language Learners 

At Literacy Pittsburgh, we often hear from our English language learners that they want to improve their conversation skills, so we wanted to share websites that offer opportunities for listening practice. 

• Voice of America - Let’s Learn English (Beginning level and up)
  This website has 80+ short video lessons featuring conversations between English speakers in a natural but slow pace. The videos let students practice speaking and pronunciation and end with listening comprehension activities.
• Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab (Intermediate level and up)
  This website has listening quizzes in three levels: easy, intermediate, and difficult. The listening exercises have audio clips on many different topics with pre-listening activities, practice with idioms and new vocabulary, comprehension checks, and suggestions for additional activities. 
• ELLLO (High Beginning to Advanced)
  This website has video and audio clips with activities for learning new grammar and vocabulary. Clips include speakers from around the world, which helps practice hearing English spoken with different accents.

Literacy Pittsburgh Alumni Club

We are pleased to launch an Alumni Club to give past students the chance to stay connected and continue their educational journey.   

Membership is free and all the opportunities are voluntary - students can participate as much or as little as they like. Benefits include Pittsburgh swag, social events, mentoring opportunities, casual conversation groups, advanced career services help, volunteer opportunities, networking, and more!

Individuals who earned their GED or became U.S. citizens recently received an invitation to join the Alumni Club. This opportunity will be expanded to other former students in the near future.

We can't wait to learn about our alums' latest accomplishments!

Computer Classes at Literacy Pittsburgh

Classes have 6 sessions and are offered in-person or on Zoom. Taking computer classes will give you an opportunity to earn a Northstar Certificate to demonstrate your skills. In August, we have Introduction to Microsoft Excel on Monday afternoons at the Downtown PA CareerLink® office. 

Workshops are a one-time session. Some workshops are offered in a series, so you can take as many as you like. If you take all workshops in a series, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. In August, we will have both virtual and in-person workshops. Our virtual workshops include a Google Series: Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive and Google Docs. You can sign up for just one or all of them. There will also be Typing 101, Completing Online Job Applications, Preparing for a Virtual Job Interview and Social Media Clean Up. In-person workshops include Email Etiquette, Avoiding Email Scams, and Typing 101. 

Open Lab is a time where you can get help with any basic computer skills. An instructor will guide you in learning. We will have Open Lab at Literacy Pittsburgh Downtown, PA CareerLink®, Duquesne EARN, and Wilkinsburg EARN locations. 

To get more information or to sign up you can visit our website, email or call/text (412) 209-8468.

Thank You, Tickets for Kids!

A huge thank you to the Tickets for Kids Charities for providing tickets for parents and kids in our Family Literacy program to attend the Ed Sheeran concert! Everyone had a wonderful time!

Household Water Assistance Program Reopens

The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) has reopened and will be accepting applications from now through August 11, 2023.

LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program to help low-income families pay overdue water bills. LIHWAP is a grant. You do not have to repay it.

LIHWAP grants may be available if you have an emergency situation and are at risk of losing your water service. You can receive one grant for your drinking water service and one grant for your wastewater service, up to $2,500 each. Crisis situations include:

• Past-due water bills.
• Termination of utility service.
• Danger of having utility service terminated (received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days).

You may qualify for a LIHWAP grant if:

• You either rent or own your home.
• You have an overdue water bill that you are responsible for paying.
• Your meet income guidelines listed on the LIHWAP website 

How to apply:

• Apply online at www.compass.state.pa.us.
• Request an application by calling 1-877-395-8930 or call PA Relay at 711 for the hearing impaired.
• Go in-person to your local county assistance office.

JCC Summer Food Service Program 

📍 When: June 19 to August 18 (Monday through Friday)
Where: JCC Squirrel Hill, 5738 Darlington Road & JCC Family Park, 261 Rosecrest Drive, Monroeville

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh is participating in the Summer Food Service Program, ensuring that children can get healthy meals and snacks when school is not in session.

Kosher meals will be provided to all children, ages 18 and under, without charge, and are the same for all children.

Milk will be provided during an arts and crafts activity from 10 to 11am. Lunch will be available from 11am to 1pm. Snacks will be provided from 2 to 3 pm.

Resources for Families in Clairton

Clairton Family Center
Each month, Clairton Family Center (next to the football stadium & Head Start) has 412 Food Rescue distributions, Dollar Energy assistance, diaper banks, as well as special events like Beverly's Birthdays visits, Salvation Army volunteer office hours, and more!

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClairtonFCAIU
• Website: https://www.aiu3.net/familycenters
• Phone Number: (412) 233-8325

Clairton Public Library
The Clairton Public Library offers a variety of weekly programming from youth events, to senior crafts and walks, to book clubs and benefits assistance. Hotspots are available for rent, along with books, movies, video games, and more! Follow their Facebook page or website to keep informed of their many events.

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/libraryclairton15025
• Website: https://clairtonlibrary.org/
• Phone number: (412) 233-7966

Student Success Stories

Congratulations to the following students!

"I know it sounds crazy that a whole family moved to a news country and didn't know the language, but we came here because we wanted to build a good life and offer my two little siblings better chances."

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

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
– Lao Tzu

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.
– Milton Berle