Literacy Pittsburgh Student Newsletter
New Student Portal
We are happy to share that Literacy Pittsburgh has a new Student Portal! This website is a one-stop shop for students learn about our services and learning opportunities, read our student newsletter, and see upcoming events. Students can also ask for help from a career counselor, service coordinator, or other Literacy Pittsburgh staff. All this and more can be found at www.LPstudent.com. Also, here is a video showing how to use the portal.
Make sure to look at the calendar page to see digital literacy workshops, student services events, and workforce program events. These are open to all Literacy Pittsburgh students!
Microsoft Office Certification Prep
FREE 12-week Microsoft Office Specialist prep courses begin in September! Microsoft Office Specialist credentials are recognized worldwide and will help your resume stand out. Successful participants receive a voucher to take the certification exam for free. Register for the Word or Excel course by September 1. Visit our website for details.
Digital Skills Classes
Digital Skills Instructor Lynn, student Tequesha, and EARN trainer JW celebrate that EARN computer classes are now open to the public! Recently Tequesha created a LinkedIn profile and applied for jobs with Lynn's help. Visit our website for the full schedule of computer classes offered by Literacy Pittsburgh.
Student & Career Services Updates
Upcoming Workshops and Events
Dress for Success - Confidence in the Interview
📍Wednesday, September 6, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Online on Zoom
Where does confidence begin? Can we really “lose” our self-confidence? How do we practice confidence? Join Dress for Success to learn about confidence in your job search and interviews! Register here.
Career Class – New Choices
📍September 11, 13, 18, 20, and 25; 2:00 pm – 4:45 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 skills
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
CCAC Information Session
📍Thursday September 21, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Online on Zoom
Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) will join Literacy Pittsburgh to present information about programs, financial aid, and their application process. The event is open to all current and former Literacy Pittsburgh students. Register here.
American Workforce Culture
📍Friday September 22, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Online on Zoom
New to the job market in Pittsburgh? This workshop will teach about American work culture, social norms, and how to navigate working in the US job market. Register here.
Meet Meghan, PA CareerLink’s Career Advisor
📍 Thursday, September 28
Downtown Center
PA CareerLink is an organization dedicated to helping Pennsylvanians get jobs and build job skills. The PA CareerLink representative can meet with students one-to-one, answer questions, present workshops, and more. Want to schedule a meeting? Have questions? Email cangelo@literacypittsburgh.org.
Career Workshops for Waiting List Students
📍 Wednesdays at 1:00 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 offerings are:
Wednesday, September 13 at 1:00 pm: Career Exploration
Wednesday, September 20 at 1:00 pm: Resume Basics
Wednesday, September 27 at 1:00 pm: What is Career Services?
Classes are open to all Literacy Pittsburgh students but those on the waiting list will receive priority. Register here
Free Library at Family Literacy Site
Ambassador Girl Scout, Alena Richart, recently cut the ribbon on Literacy Pittsburgh's new Free Library at our Family Literacy site. This Free Library is the culmination of Alena's Gold Award Project as part of the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania and Morning Star Service Area Girl Scouts. Over many months, Alena worked with staff to collect and organize books, design signage, and set up the new library area. Many thanks to Alena and the individuals, organizations, and businesses that donated to the project!
Bridge to Work Job and Resource Fair
Looking for your next career move? Join PA CareerLink Pittsburgh at their largest in-person job fair. With a goal of helping YOU, this event will connect you directly to employers and other career resources.
📍Tuesday, September 5, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Meet employers from:
- Medical & Healthcare
- Finance & Banking
- Transportation & Logistics
- Construction & Trades
- Janitorial & Maintenance
For more information or to RSVP, contact Noelle Bryner at 412-248- 5627 or noelle.bryner@careerlinkpittsburgh.org
City of Pittsburgh’s International Day Parade and Festival
On Saturday, October 21, the City of Pittsburgh will host an International Day Parade and Festival to celebrate the rich heritage of the different nationalities who call Pittsburgh home, whether new to the area or living here for generations.
In addition to the parade, there will be a festival in Market Square with performances and vendor booths.
The event is seeking parade participants representing different nations as well as festival performers and vendors. The deadline for the registration is Sunday 17 September 2023. Get more details and sign up at this link.
City Theatre Student Discount
Literacy Pittsburgh is collaborating with City Theatre for the upcoming season. Their first play is called Somewhere Over the Border, by Brian Quijada, inspired by the true story of the playwright's mother's journey from El Salvador to the U.S. The play is also family-friendly (recommended for ages 10 and up).
- Literacy Pittsburgh Student are eligible for a discount using code CityLIT
- This is good for $15.00 tickets – maximum of 4 per person.
- The code must be applied prior to adding the tickets to the cart.
- The discount code is good for every performance of Somewhere Over the Border except for 9/23, 9/29, 10/7 at 1 pm, and 10/15.
Free Legal Consultations
In cooperation with the Allegheny County Bar Association’s Volunteer Attorneys, North Hills Community Outreach offers free 30-minute legal consultations to eligible residents of northern Allegheny County outside of the City of Pittsburgh.
- Any noncriminal matter can be discussed, including divorce, bankruptcy, landlord/tenant concerns, and more.
- Legal consultations are meant to provide advice and direction on how to proceed with a legal matter.
- Please visit www.pittsburghprobono.org for representation, help with criminal matters, or additional legal resources.
- Interested persons must meet income eligibility requirements.
Free Mammography Day
St. Clair Hospital Breast Care Center is hosting a free mammography day. It's open to women 40 and older who do not have insurance or are underinsured.
📍Saturday, September 30, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
St. Clair Health - Village Square Outpatient Center
2000 Oxford Drive, Suite 301
Bethel Park, PA 15102
Free transportation will be provided for women who have difficulty securing a ride to and from the center. Spanish translation services are available.
Pre-registration is required to attend. To register or receive more information, please call St. Clair Hospital Breast Care Center at 412-942-7811 by Monday, September 25. If you have mammography films from a previous mammography, please bring them to your appointment.
Student Success Stories
Congratulations to the following students!
Students gathered recently at Iglesia Sion in Crafton for a class party before their summer break. It was great to meet the students’ families, and one group of construction workers even brought their boss. Students shared dishes from their home countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Honduras, and more. It was a wonderful evening of community and delicious food.
After overcoming hardships, and retaking the GED Math test nearly 7 times, Ashley officially became a GED graduate! Ashley said, “I will begin my studies at the University of Pittsburgh in Japanese Studies. Please give my sincere gratitude to those who are new to taking the GED. Don't give up!! Everyone's experience is different, but we learn so much from each other. It takes only one time to get it!!”
Thien was meeting with a Literacy Pittsburgh volunteer tutor. After attending CCAC to complete prerequisite college courses, he applied to several places for pharmacy school. He was accepted at a university in San Antonio where he and his family moved. This past May he graduated with a Pharmacy Doctorate. He received several job offers. His former tutor, Patty, said, “My time with him tutoring and getting to know his family was an experience I will never forget. I have such admiration for Thien’s hard work, integrity, and generosity.”
Thanks to Next Pittsburgh and UPMC Neighborhood Center for the shout-out to our citizenship classes! We are proud to partner with you to support the community!
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 good education is the greatest gift you can give yourself or anyone else."
— Mahtab Narsimhan
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
— Zig Ziglar
