February Digital Skills Calendar

February is a sweet time to learn new digital skills!    

Please check out our virtual classes and in-person offerings at Literacy Pittsburgh Downtown, PA CareerLink^® Downtown, PA CareerLink^® Allegheny East, and CCAC Homewood-Brushton Center. We’re also hosting Google Career Certificate Info Sessions to help new students get started with classes.

Please note the updated Open Lab listing! 

Open Lab Schedule (except as noted):

• Mondays: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (Literacy Pittsburgh) 
• Mondays and Wednesdays: 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm (PA CareerLink^® Downtown; no Open Lab on Feb. 16 and 18)
• Tuesdays and Thursdays: 12:00 pm – 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 February calendar will be updated soon.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Service Coordination Events

Service Coordination Office Hours: Tax Preparation                                     📍Monday, February 2 & Tuesday, February 3, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Literacy Pittsburgh's Downtown Center 
Service coordination will assist students to sign up to file their taxes and also to make connections with PCSI, which offers a variety of services such as rental assistance, job search, and legal assistance.

Service Coordination: Financial Literacy Workshop                                      📍Wednesday, February 25, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Online on Zoom 
Join us for a one-hour workshop designed to build confidence with money basics. We’ll cover budgeting, saving, understanding credit, and simple strategies for managing your finances. After the workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to schedule one-on-one meetings with counselors from the Financial Empowerment Center (FEC). If you would like to attend, please sign up here.

Career Services Classes and Workshops

Upcoming Workshops and Events 

Waitlist Workshop: Resume Makeover
📍Wednesday, February 4, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Online on Zoom
This is part 1 of a 2-part workshop series. If you need to create or improve a resume, this workshop is for you. You will receive tips on how to market your skillset for the current job market and get the opportunity to have your resume reviewed and edited. Interested? Register here.

Career Day
📍Tuesday, February 11, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Literacy Pittsburgh's Downtown Center   
Employers in attendance will include UPMC, the University of Pittsburgh, JFCS, Catholic Charities, and more. This event is a great opportunity for students who are actively job searching, exploring new positions, or who want to practice speaking with employers in a supportive environment. Tutors are encouraged to share this opportunity with their students. For questions or additional information, please contact Kate Humphries, Career Advisor, at khumphries@literacypittsburgh.org.

Per Scholas - Lunch and Learn
📍Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Online on Zoom
Per Scholas has been running free tech career bootcamps for over 30 years. March cohorts are open. Sign up with Per Scholas or email vdestefano@literacypittsburgh.org or text 412-350-9920.

CCAC Workshop: FAFSA and Scholarships 
📍Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
This is a virtual workshop to learn how to apply for financial aid, where to find scholarships, and tips on how to apply. Interested? Register here.

Waitlist Workshop: Cover Letter Makeover
📍 Wednesday, February 25, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Online on Zoom
This workshop is part 2 of our workshop series. If you are starting your job search, this workshop is for you! During this workshop, you will learn about the importance of cover letters. You will also learn about LinkedIn and how to utilize the platform to improve your networking and chances of landing a new job. Interested? Register here.

Upwardly Global Open Lab
📍Every Tuesday, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Literacy Pittsburgh's Downtown Center   
Literacy Pittsburgh career advisors and digital skills staff have collaborated to offer a space for interested students to study their Upwardly Global lessons. Use on-site computers and get assistance with any technical or instructional barriers during this weekly practice space. Questions? Email Dru at dpelter@literacypittsburgh.org.

CareerLink Representative at Downtown Center
📍Third Thursdays each month, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Literacy Pittsburgh's 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-on-one, answer questions, present workshops, and more. To schedule a one-on-one session with the CareerLink Advisor, email Dru at dpelter@literacypittsburgh.org. Learn more about PA CareerLink here: https://www.pacareerlink.pa.gov/jponline/

Immigrant Workforce Program
📍Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Monday, March 23, 2026 - Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Online on Zoom
This is a free program designed to support immigrants in navigating their job search and building relevant skills across diverse industries and career paths. Interested? Register here. Deadline to apply: March 6, 2026. Questions? Email iwp@jfcspgh.org or call 412-235-8065.                                                                                           
JFCS Career Development Center Events
Visit JFCS Events to see current workshop offerings. Workshops include Resume Basics, Job Fair Preparation, and Behavioral Interviewing Techniques in Action.

For the most up-to-date Career Service events and Career Service Drop-In Hours, go to https://www.lpstudent.com/calendar.

Free Tax Return Preparation

The IRS will begin accepting 2025 tax returns on January 26, 2026, with a filing deadline of April 15, 2026.                                                                              
Please note: The IRS is phasing out paper checks for tax refunds. You must provide bank account information to receive your refund in a timely manner.  

How to get free tax help:

• Just Harvest is open for tax help from January 21 to April 15. To schedule your appointment, email taxhelp@justharvest.org or call 412-431-8960.
  For more information, visit https://www.justharvest.org/freetaxprep.
• The Human Services Center Mon Valley is open from January 27 to April 8, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm at 413 Penn Ave., Turtle Creek, PA 15145
  APPOINTMENTS ONLY: To schedule an appointment, call 2-1-1 (1-888-553-5778 for landline callers) during weekdays between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm or schedule an appointment online anytime at http://www.unitedwayswpa.org/Free-Tax-Prep.

Your Donation Helps Everyone

Students supporting students matters more than ever.

When you give to Literacy Pittsburgh, even a small contribution can make a real difference for fellow students who are working hard to build better futures—especially during a time of uncertainty.

Nearly one-third of Literacy Pittsburgh’s budget was put at risk this past summer when federal adult education funding was unexpectedly withheld. Although the funds were later released and funds are included in a current appropriations bill, challenges remain.  

As a student, you know how powerful education can be. Every contribution helps protect access to learning and ensures adult students in our region can continue moving forward.  Please make a gift today.

February Community Events

PSO in the Libraries - Downtown
📍February 3, 2026, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Downtown
612 Smithfield St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Enjoy a special performance by members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at the Downtown Library.

Pittsburgh Opera Family Day
📍Saturday, February 7, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Bitz Opera Factory
2425 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Each Family Day event consists of different activities designed to expose children, teens, and their families to some of the many different components that make up opera. There is no minimum age to attend. Parents/guardians must accompany children younger than high school age so they can enjoy the activities with their children. Each family will receive a free goody bag at the end of the event.

Latin American Cultural Center Spring Film Series
📍February 12, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Latin American Cultural Center (LACC)
4338 Bigelow Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
The Latin American Studies Association (LASA) is proud to present its Spring 2026 Film Series at the Latin American Cultural Center (LACC) in Oakland.

Student Spark Award Recognition 

We are excited to recognize the following students for our Student Spark Award! Students are nominated by their teacher or tutor, and this list represents nominations received from October through December 2025. Congratulations to all!

Carlos - Becoming a U.S. citizen (nominated by Tina Burns)
Liudmyla - Getting a new job (nominated by Martha Daniels)
Maria - Becoming a U.S. citizen (nominated by Tina Burns)
Mario - Passing a Bidwell program and getting hired at AGH (nominated by Tina Burns)
Mark  - Becoming a U.S. citizen (nominated by Tina Burns)

Student Success Stories

Congratulations to the following students!

Through our English language and Career Services classes, she built essential workplace vocabulary and communication skills. “I worked hard to get this job,” she shared, noting that the skill assessment and application support in the Pathways to Work Program were especially helpful. She plans to continue her classes at Literacy Pittsburgh.

Congratulations, N’Gnyoh—this is determination meeting the right support!

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 the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”
– Robert Collier

“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.”
– Christian D. Larson