Your Voice Matters – Don’t Forget to Vote!

Voting is one of the most powerful ways we can make our voices heard and help shape the future. Your opinions, experiences, and values matter, and casting your vote ensures they are part of the decisions that impact us all.

Literacy Pittsburgh encourages you to exercise your rights and vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5. Whether it's your first time voting or you're an experienced voter, participating in elections is an opportunity to make a difference. If you would like help registering to vote please email lcrumley@literacypittburgh.org. The deadline to register so you can vote in the November election is October 21.

October Digital Skills Calendar

Colorful, vibrant October is here! We are excited to share our autumn classes this month. Please check out our virtual classes and in-person offerings at Literacy Pittsburgh Downtown, PA CareerLink^® Downtown, Human Services Center Mon Valley, and Wilkinsburg EARN:

Literacy Pittsburgh Downtown:

Using Email (6 sessions)
Intermediate Excel (4 sessions)
Open Lab
Typing Club

PA CareerLink^® Downtown:

Intermediate Word (4 sessions)
Open Lab / Typing Club

EARN Wilkinsburg:

Open Lab

Virtual Classes:

Email in the Workplace (4 sessions)
Google for Beginners Series (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar, Google Maps)
iPhone for Beginners
Excel Charts

Human Services Center Mon Valley:

Effective Online Searching
Digital Skills and Democracy
Recognizing Online Ads
Social Media and News

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: 12:00 – 3:00 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 October calendar will be updated soon.

Service Coordination Updates

English Listening: What to Do in October in Pittsburgh
📍Friday, October 4, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Online on Zoom
Are you waiting for an English class and want to practice listening to English? You will hear Literacy Pittsburgh service coordinators talk about Pittsburgh and different events happening in the area during the month of October. If you would like to attend this waitlist event, please sign up here, and the Zoom link will be emailed to you on the morning of the event.

Service Coordination Office Hours
📍Monday, October 7 & Tuesday, October 8, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Literacy Pittsburgh's Downtown Center OR Online on Zoom

Do you need a library card? We will help students apply for library cards 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.

Resource Fair
📍Wednesday, October 30, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Literacy Pittsburgh's Downtown Center

Literacy Pittsburgh will be hosting a resource fair at our Downtown Center. Various vendors will be presenting resources to our students. Please join us to learn more.

Student & Career Services Updates

Upcoming Workshops and Events

Literacy Pittsburgh is looking to improve the student experience. If you are interested in attending college, please consider filling out this survey.

New Offerings Coming Soon!
Career Services is excited to welcome a full-time AmeriCorps member for program year 2024-25! Stay tuned for updated Career Services offerings and opportunities.

Upwardly Global Information Session/Open Lab
Information Session – What is Upwardly Global?

📍Thursday, October 3, 12:00 –1:00 pm
Online on Zoom
Searching for a job but not sure where to start? Upwardly 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. Interested? Register here.

Note: this workshop is recommended for advanced English speakers only. Please contact Callie at cangelo@literacypittsburgh.org with any questions.

Open Lab

📍Every Tuesday, 12:00 – 3:00 pm
Literacy Pittsburgh's Downtown Center

Searching for a job but not sure where to start? Upwardly 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 Callie at cangelo@literacypittsburgh.org with any questions.

NEW! Office Hours Resume!

📍Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Literacy Pittsburgh's Downtown Center

Not sure what to put on your resume? Need help with formatting and organizing? Join Career Services for resume office hours to receive feedback and get help with all your resume questions. Sessions will occur on a walk-in basis – no need to schedule in advance. Questions or concerns? Email Anna at agartland@literacypittsburgh.org.

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

Wednesday, October 9, 1:00 – 2:30 pm: Career Exploration (Interest Surveys) 
Wednesday, October 16, 1:00 – 2:30 pm: Resume Basics 
Wednesday, October 23, 1:00 – 2:30 pm: 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.

Networking Workshop with JFCS

📍Friday, October 11, 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Online on Zoom

In this workshop, JFCS's 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.

CareerLink Job Search and Resume Workshop

📍Thursday, October 24, 10:30 – 11:30 am
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 of PA CareerLink for a crash course in making your resume on the site, finding jobs on the site, and other features to boost your employability. Interested? Register here.

Career Class: New Choices
In collaboration with Pennsylvania Women Work 

📍Monday and Wednesday evenings from November 4 – 18, 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 

Fall 2024 Job Fair

Pittsburgh's Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) will be hosting a job fair for Fall 2024. PHDC will be doing intakes for those who call or those who show up for the event.

📍Wednesday, October 9 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm

1555 Broadway Ave, 2nd floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15216

For more information, contact info@phdcincubator.org or call (412) 205-8840

International Women’s Association of Pittsburgh

International Women’s Association of Pittsburgh (IWAP) represents many nationalities, including both temporary and permanent residents.

Meetings:

📍 Thursdays from September to May at First United Methodist Church in Shadyside

📍 Monthly from June to August at Schenley Plaza in Oakland

Come to a meeting to connect with women from your country and around the world! Activities including:

Program meetings
Cooking classes
Book discussions
Field trips
Volunteering opportunities
Social activities

For more info: https://iwap.mailchimpsites.com or iwap.pittsburgh@gmail.com

Free Dental, Hearing, & Vision Event

📍Friday & Saturday, November 1 & 2
David L. Lawrence Convention Center (100 Fort Duquesne Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15222)

There are no eligibility requirements and no insurance needed. Ages 2 and up.

Free hearing services include hearing evaluations, hearing aids, hearing aid fittings, and related support. Dental services include x-rays, cleanings, fillings, select root canals, limited extractions, and partial dentures. Vision services include screens, glasses prescriptions, and glasses.

Doors open at 6:00 am
Clinic begins at 7:00 am

Please note that all patients are seen on a first-come, first-serve basis.

October Events

Free museum admission to Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum

📍Wednesday, October 2
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum
4141 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

North Hills Art Center: A Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

📍Saturday, October 5
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
North Hills Art Center
3432 Babcock Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Join Our Team

Literacy Pittsburgh is seeking three (3) College and Career Readiness Instructors. These instructors are responsible for leading assigned Literacy Pittsburgh classes utilizing the Ready and Relevant curriculum to help students strengthen reading and math skills to achieve high school equivalency goals, brush up for college, job training, or apprenticeships. The instructor ensures a high-quality experience for students by providing excellent student instruction and support to advance student learning and goal attainment.

In addition, we are hiring a Digital Skills Instructor who will be responsible for leading Literacy Pittsburgh digital skills classes as assigned utilizing various digital literacy curricula and working in support of agency priorities. The Digital Skills Instructor ensures a high-quality experience for students by providing excellent student instruction and support to advance student learning and goal attainment. Must have the ability to travel throughout Allegheny County with occasional travel to Beaver County.

For more information and to apply visit: https://www.literacypittsburgh.org/join-our-team/

Student Success Stories

Congratulations to the following students!

Helene is an ESL student in Shawn’s class. Despite the challenges of being a newcomer to the language, she has become a mentor in less than eight months. Her determination, along with the support from Literacy Pittsburgh, has made a significant impact on her life.

Jony Ibrahim is a student in Tina’s citizenship class. He attends every class, takes notes, shares answers, and loves civics. Great news—Jony passed his citizenship test and has been sharing his journey with the class. Literacy Pittsburgh is so proud of him! Teacher Tina also had the chance to meet Jony’s lovely mom. Jony is now looking to get his GED and start college classes.

Keep up the good work, Jony!

Jony with his mother

Viji diligently searched for months in 2022 and early 2023 for a job. She was a physical therapist in India but needed further credentials in the U.S. She found a job outside of her career and has done well in it, receiving praise from her employer. She has taken classes to get the credentials for her PT license in the U.S. Viji’s tutor wrote “I am so proud of you, Viji. You are a nice, smart, and ambitious person who loves her family and it has been an honor and a pleasure being your tutor.”

Anne and Joe, digital skills instructors from Literacy Pittsburgh, recently led a digital literacy workshop for educators at La Escuelita Arcoiris, a nature-based Spanish immersion preschool in Squirrel Hill. During the session, they explored iCloud Photos and Google apps, equipping the teachers with tools to enrich their classroom experience. We're thrilled to support their efforts in enhancing education for their students.

Ruba Nashbat has been accepted to Pitt, where she will pursue a BA in Social Work, starting this fall. Over the past two years, Ruba and her tutor, Richard, have worked together to clarify her career goals and create a roadmap to achieve them.

Richard wrote "Eighteen months ago, Ruba began taking classes at CCAC to complete the required 60 credits, with her sights set on earning her BA in Social Work by 2027 and her MA through an accelerated program in 2028. I couldn't be more proud of Ruba. Her determination to achieve her life’s goal of helping others is remarkable, especially considering the personal challenges she has overcome. Ruba sought to improve her reading comprehension and writing skills to reach her vocational and personal goals. Thanks to Literacy Pittsburgh, she is now on the path to fulfilling her dream."

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 not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”
— Winston Churchill

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
— C.S. Lewis