Welcome to Literacy Pittsburgh's Table 

September Digital Skills Calendar

Literacy Pittsburgh welcomes you to the start of fall with exciting new computer skills offerings! Please check out our virtual and in-person offerings at Literacy Pittsburgh downtown, PA CareerLink^® downtown, and Human Services Center Mon Valley.

Microsoft Office Specialist: These 12-week certification classes prepare participants for success on the Microsoft Office Specialist certification exam. Contact Vince at vdestefano@literacypittsburgh.org for more information. Familiarity with Excel and/or Word are needed to attend. Registration deadline is August 27. Seats are filling quickly!

• MOS Excel Associate
• MOS Word Associate
• MOS Excel Expert 

Updated Open Lab schedule (except as noted on calendar)

• Mondays: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (Literacy Pittsburgh; Wilkinsburg EARN)
• Tuesdays: 12:00 – 3:00 pm (Literacy Pittsburgh)
• Wednesdays: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (PA CareerLink^® downtown)
• Thursdays: 1:00 – 4:00 pm (Literacy Pittsburgh)

We hope we have some classes that interest you! As always, please email us at DigitalPGH@LiteracyPittsburgh.org and please specify which class(es) and dates you are interested in.

Finally, don’t forget our calendars are also available at www.LPStudent.com/calendar. The September calendar has been updated.

Service Coordination Updates

Service Coordination Office Hours 
📍Monday, September 9 & Tuesday, September 10, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Literacy Pittsburgh's Downtown Center  OR Online on Zoom

Do you need help registering to vote or to check your voting status? We will help students do this at the Downtown Center and virtually. If you would like to attend virtually, please sign up here. The Zoom link will be emailed to you on the morning of the event.

Student & Career Services Updates 

Upcoming Workshops and Events

Upwardly Global – Career Training Information Session 
Searching for a job, but not sure where to start? Upward Global is an online education tool that can help you learn about different careers and how to prepare for them. Join LP Career Advisors on Zoom to learn more about the resource and sign up for an account. Please contact cangelo@literacypittsburgh.org with any questions. 

Career Workshops for Waitlist Students     
📍Wednesdays, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm    
Online on Zoom 

This is a series of 3 workshops available to all students – even before you start classes. These workshops are designed to get you started thinking about your goals and to ease you into learning with us. This month's workshops are: 

• Friday, Sept. 13 at 1:00 pm – 2:30pm: Career Exploration (Interest Surveys)  

• Friday, Sept. 20 at 1:00 pm – 2:30pm: Resume Basics  

• Friday. Sept. 27 at 1:00 pm – 2:30pm: What is Career Services? 

Classes are open to all Literacy Pittsburgh Students, but we will prioritize waitlist students. Students may attend the first two sessions virtually or in person. Interested? Register here.

CCAC Information Session 
📍Wednesday, September 18, 1:00 pm – 3:00pm  
Online on Zoom

Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) will join Literacy Pittsburgh to present information about programs, financial aid, and their application process. Event is open to all current and former Literacy Pittsburgh students. Interested? Register here.

American Workforce Culture 
📍Thursday, September 19, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Online on Zoom

Learn more about the American work culture, social norms, and how to navigate the nuances of working in the US job market. In this workshop, JFCS' Maggie Lizzi will teach you the essential practice of networking, how to find and approach contacts, and techniques for presenting yourself effectively.  Interested? Register Here. 

Career Class: New Choices 
📍Monday/Wednesday evenings, September 9 – 23, 6:00 – 8:45 pm
Online on Zoom
Get ready to get a job with this class from PA Women Work!  

• Create a new resume 
• Polish your interviewing skills
• Learn more effective communication tactics 
• Gain a strong understanding of the job application process 
• Build your confidence  

The class is open to any Literacy Pittsburgh student, regardless of gender.
To register: Call 412-909-6499 or email cangelo@literacypittsburgh.org.  

Save the Date: Career Day  
📍Monday, September 23, 11:00am – 2:00pm
Literacy Pittsburgh's Downtown Center 

As a service to our students and alumni, Literacy Pittsburgh Career Services organizes Career Fairs throughout the year. Our next Career Day will feature several employers who are ready to hire students now (and who have positions for students to grow into). This round, we are adding an Application Lab hosted by CareerLink^®, where students can fill out applications on-site with staff assistance. No registration is necessary—friends and family of students and staff are welcome, too! Please direct questions to cangelo@literacypittsburgh.org. 

CareerLink Joins Us for Career Day
📍Monday, September 23, 11:00am – 2:00pm
Literacy Pittsburgh's Downtown Center 

Searching for a job? Need a resume? PA CareerLink can help! PA CareerLink offers resources to assist in finding employment, developing professional skills, and much more. Join Megan Grabowski in the Career Day Application Lab for help with your PA CareerLink account, finding jobs on the site, or creating a first account. This will replace the usual schedule of CareerLink Services at the DTC for this month. 

Bidwell Information Session
📍Tuesday, September 24, 1:00 pm – 2:30pm
Online on Zoom 

Thinking of going back to school, but nervous about the price of college? Looking for short programs so you can get a job? Try Bidwell Training Center! Bidwell is a local free educational institution offering certifications ranging from Culinary Arts, Horticulture, Medical Coding/Billing, Pharmacy Tech, and more. Join student services for an introduction to the school, programs, and application process. Then, join one of several in-person tours of the facility in the Northside (dates to be determined), and even begin your application. Interested? Register here.  

September Events

Student Success Stories

Congratulations to the following students!

One of Shirley’s students in her citizenship class has emerged as a leader. He has been highly engaged in all the lessons, consistently striving for perfection in his work. He actively supports his classmates, often translating on the spot, and even helps clean up at the end of every class. Thank you for your help and leadership in the citizenship class!

"The instructors at Literacy Pittsburgh were all professional, polite, respectful, approachable, kind, and generous in sharing their knowledge, anticipating questions I didn't even know to ask. The classes were very convenient and I really appreciated the opportunity to earn a laptop," Brenda says.

Congrats, Brenda!

One of Erica's English Language Learning students shared his success story. "I am an Iraqi visual artist who fled my country during the sectarian war. My family and I moved to a neighboring country, where I stayed for 10 years waiting for my refugee status. During that time, I couldn’t resume my artwork or participate in any art exhibitions.

I finally arrived in Pittsburgh, USA, and joined Literacy Pittsburgh. The support I found from Emma, Shawn, Najlaa, and my ELL teacher, Erica, helped me restore my life balance. With their assistance, I applied for the Adolf Foundation, and the Esther Gottlieb scholarships.

I am very happy to have overcome many difficulties with Literacy Pittsburgh’s staff help. In fact, I have started to complete my first sculptural work here in Pittsburgh using recycled materials. I am looking forward to having my own art exhibition in Pittsburgh."

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

“Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.”
— William Arthur Ward

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
— Theodore Roosevelt