Literacy Pittsburgh Student Newsletter
GED Graduation Celebration
On Thursday, May 9, we gathered to celebrate our most recent GED graduates. We were proud to have 16 graduates walk across the stage at CCAC Allegheny to celebrate this hard-earned achievement – with one graduate who passed their last section of the GED just hours before the ceremony!
Jamillia Kamara Covington, M.Ed., provided the crowd with a wonderful speech, and singer Dejah Monea once again joined us as a guest singer.
As always, our favorite part of the GED Graduation Celebration is when we invite graduates, family members, and friends to come up and share some kind words during the open mic. Children congratulated their parents, parents encouraged their children to keep moving forward, and neighbors and friends shared how proud they were of the graduates. The theme of the evening was certainly “this is just the beginning." Graduates also spoke about how thankful they were to have the support of their family and friends, as well as the dedication of their Literacy Pittsburgh instructors.
When asked what their greatest accomplishments have been since getting their GED, our graduates reported exploring new college and career opportunities, getting accepted into higher education, starting college and trades programs, growing their families, getting new jobs, and getting promotions at work. Congrats, graduates! We are so proud of you!
Summer Plans
Summer is coming soon! We understand that during the summer some students may have travel plans or may need to be at home with their children.
Please be sure to tell your teacher or tutor if you are planning to be away for a vacation or need to take time off to be with your kids over the school break. This will help us make sure that your spot in your class or with your tutor is reserved for you when you return. If you have any questions, please be sure to talk to your teacher or tutor.
June Digital Skills Calendar
Improve your computer literacy in Microsoft Office, email, job searching, online safety, and more through free in-person and virtual classes in Beaver County and Allegheny County. 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.
Our computer class calendars are available at www.LPStudent.com/calendar.
Service Coordination Updates
Service Coordination Office Hour
📍Monday, June 10 & Tuesday, June 11, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Literacy Pittsburgh's Downtown Center (Google Maps) OR Online on Zoom
Do you need help finding summer food distributions? We will help students look for food pantries and other summer food distributions. If you would like to attend virtually, please sign up hereand the Zoom link will be emailed to you on the morning of the event.
English Listening: What to Do in July in Pittsburgh
📍Friday, June 28, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Online on Zoom
If you are 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 July. 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.
Discounted Bus and Transit Fare
Allegheny County is making permanent a pilot program giving people who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits a discount on public transit fares aged 18 to 64 and their children aged 6 to 17.
Every Allegheny County resident eligible for SNAP will be able to apply for a 50% discount on Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) fares under the Allegheny GO program beginning June 3.
Those interested in applying should download PRT’s Ready2Ride app before applying at the Allegheny GO website. To receive updates, register at this link.
New English Learning Opportunities
Theatre and English Workshops at Carnegie Library
📍Carnegie Library – Allegheny (Northside) at 1230 Federal St.
Sundays, June 2 – June 23, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
The Carnegie Library Allegheny branch is hosting a free workshop for intermediate to advanced level English learners to help intermediate to advanced English learners practice and improve conversation skills through theater exercises. To join, just go to the first session on Sunday, June 2 at 11:00 am or register in advance here.
Cultural Exchange Workshop
📍Literacy Pittsburgh's Downtown Center
(Google Maps)
Tuesdays, June 4 – July 23 (plus Thursday, July 25), 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
This new workshop is for intermediate to advanced level English learners to:
- Share their culture with other people
- Learn to make and give presentations
- Improve and practice public speaking
There is a limit of 10 students for this group.
To join, contact Eric Fileta by May 31 at efileta@literacypittsburgh.org.
June Events
June 2: Highland Park Yard Sale
The city’s largest yard sale is back! This year’s Highland Park Yard Sale will take place on Sunday, June 2, and sales will start at 9:00 am. Like past years, the yard sale will happen on the same day as the Bryant Street Festival, so please invite your friends and family!
June 8: International Day Parade & Festival
The City of Pittsburgh is hosting its second annual International Day Parade and Festival. This event celebrates the rich heritage of the different nationalities who call Pittsburgh home, whether new to the area or living here for generations. The parade will begin Downtown at Centre Avenue at 12:00 pm and finish at Market Square, where World Square Day will be taking place. Find more information here.
📍Saturday, June 8, 12pm starting Downtown at Center Ave.
June 19: Juneteenth
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in 1865. Juneteenth National Independence Day Act was signed into law on June 17, 2021. We are honored to celebrate this day.
Learn more at www.juneteenth.com.
June 20: World Refugee Day Pittsburgh 2024
This event celebrates the valuable contribution refugees and immigrants have given to our community. This family-friendly event will give everyone the opportunity to learn about various organizations and the services they provide and deepen the understanding of support available in Pittsburgh. There will be cultural performances, inspiring speakers, lively music, dancing, global cuisine from refugee and immigrant-owned eateries, and handmade products from local artists. No registration required. Find more information here.
📍Thursday, June 20, 4 – 8pm at Schenley Plaza in Oakland
Student Success Stories
Congratulations to the following students!
Mhra has been working since 2019 to ger her GED credential, and successfully passed all the sections. Mhra earned her diploma on 3/28/2024, and she is hoping to go to CCAC to become a medical assistant. Congratulations Mhra!
Vicki Pitts has been a regular digital skills students for the past year and she was excited to share with her instructor Lynn that she recently received UPMC's Award for Commitment and Excellence in Service. Congratulations Vicki on a well-deserved honor!
Sara L LaRue passed her Bidwell Training Center entrance test with the assistance of Literacy Pittsburgh's math brush-up class held on-site and instructed by Cliff Murphy. Sara is now studying medical billing and coding. Sara wrote the followingabout her experience with Literacy Pittsburgh.
"During my experience with Literacy Pittsburgh I was always motivated and encouraged not to give up. I have been out of school for many years and forgot how to do basic math, and search for the main point of an article. At first I was a little disappointed in myself because I was always a good student in school....but going to classes there, I was never made to feel bad about not catching on to something quickly. The instructors there always made me want to do better and patiently worked with me."
Bridget came to Literacy Pittsburgh to study for the GED tests. "Bridget has an amazing heart and is so caring," explains her teacher Susan Mansuetti. "She speaks to all of the students and never misses an opportunity to congratulate someone for passing a test or even scoring well or mastering some skill."
Bridget is diligently working on passing her last test, math, by June and becoming a graduate. She is hoping to take some business courses so she will be better equipped to run her non-profit, Rycker's Heart Heroes.
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
Join Our Team
Literacy Pittsburgh is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment where employees feel a sense of belonging, valued, supported, and encouraged through open communication channels and mutual respect among team members. We welcome all qualified applicants. Click here to check for our current open positions.
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”
— Confucius
