Good News – But the Fight Continues

We have been notified that the federal government is releasing adult education funds for the 2025-26 program year! This is excellent news!!!

However, the fight for our government funding is not over.

We want to make sure that adult education funding is included in the next federal and state spending bills, which are being negotiated now.

We need your help!

We are honored to support your learning journey. Thank you for standing with us!

September Digital Skills Calendar

We welcome the arrival of autumn and new computer skills classes!

Please check out our virtual classes and in-person offerings at Literacy Pittsburgh Downtown, PA CareerLink^® Downtown, PA CareerLink^® Beaver County, and PA CareerLink^® Allegheny East. We’re also hosting Digital Skills Orientation, Intro to Zoom, and Google Career Certificate Info Sessions to help new students get started with classes.

Literacy Pittsburgh Downtown:

Google for Beginners (attend individually or all four sessions to earn a certificate of completion!
Digital Skills Orientation
Intro to Zoom
Open Lab / Typing Club

New this month: PA CareerLink^® Beaver County:

Intro to Zoom
Email in the Workplace
Open Lab / Typing Club (Sept. 8 and 22)

Virtual Classes (Online via Zoom):

Digital Skills Orientation
Intermediate Microsoft Excel (4 sessions)
Google Career Certificate Info Session
Excel Charts
Intro to Zoom
Job-Search Series (attend individually or all four sessions to earn a certificate of completion!)

PA CareerLink^® Downtown:

Intermediate Microsoft Word (4 sessions)
Open Lab / Typing Club

Please note the updated Open Lab listing!

Open Lab Schedule (except as noted below):

Mondays: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (Literacy Pittsburgh; no Open Lab on Sept. 1 and 29)
NEW! Mondays: 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm (PA CareerLink^® Downtown; no Open Lab on Sept. 1 and 29)
NEW! Mondays: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (PA CareerLink^® Beaver County; two dates: Sept. 8 and 22)
Moved from Wednesdays to Tuesdays: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Literacy Pittsburgh; no Open Lab on Sept. 30)
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.

Please note: Literacy Pittsburgh will be closed for the Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 1.

There will be no computer skills classes or Open Labs the week of September 29 - October 3. That is our planning week for classes.

Happy Labor Day weekend!

Service Coordination Events

Office Hours

📍Monday, September 8 nsa Tuesday, September 9, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Literacy Pittsburgh's Downtown Center

September is National Library Card Month! Service Coordination will be assisting students in enrolling with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for monthly office hours. A library card grants students access to numerous programs and resources that can benefit them. Please spread the word!

If you have any questions, please contact Manique (mbraziel@literacypittsburgh.org) or Ezekieli (eseti@literacypittsburgh.org) for more information.

Student and Career Services Classes and Workshops

Upcoming Workshops and Events

Career Services is proud to announce we are bringing on two new volunteers to help us provide excellent service to the students we serve.

Anne Fleming is taking over the Waitlist Workshop, where she will be giving tips and tricks to spice up resumes and how to stay sharp on LinkedIn. Anne brings extensive experience from multiple start-up companies and has expertise in crafting compelling resumes to help students excel in their professional growth.

Holly Caiazza will be helping with our virtual Career Service Drop-In Hours. Holly has worked as a recruiter and career consultant in the past. She will be an amazing addition to our drop-in coverage.

Immigrant Workforce Program
📍September 3 – October 30
Online on Zoom

JFCS Career Services and Literacy Pittsburgh are excited to announce that we are teaming up to present a free Immigrant Workforce Program (IWP). IWP is designed to provide foreign-born professional job seekers with the knowledge and career skills needed to succeed in the American job search.

The fall cohort starts on September 3 and ends on October 30, 2025. It is a nine-week virtual program occurring every Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. Interested? Sign up 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.

Career Service Drop-In Hours

📍Times and dates can be found here.
Literacy Pittsburgh's Downtown Center  

Drop-in hours are a time for individual career advising services where no appointment is required. Please ask for the career advisor at the front desk when you arrive. Services offered during drop-in hours may include:

Upwardly Global registration
Resume consultations
Interview preparation
Cover letter writing
Assistance with job or school applications
General advisement on goals and career exploration

Some services may not be appropriate if more than one student is in attendance. Translation is only available through Google Translate; however, we will do our best to assist in all cases. This service is not job placement. Students will apply for jobs with the guidance of advisors. Career advisors do not apply on behalf of students. If a student requires job placement services, contact information for staffing agencies can be provided.

CCAC Information Session
📍Thursday, September 18 from 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. This event is open to all current and former Literacy Pittsburgh students.
Interested? Register here.

JFCS American Job Skills Foundations
📍September 26 from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Online on Zoom

This is a two-part workshop series from JFCS Career Development Center that will give you the right foundation to start your job search in the American workplace. Gain the skills to navigate social and professional interactions in the workplace.
Interested? Register here.

📚 International Literacy Day – September 8

International Literacy Day reminds us that reading, writing, and lifelong learning open doors to opportunity and stronger communities. At Literacy Pittsburgh, we celebrate our students’ determination and the support of teachers and volunteers who make learning possible every day. Together, we build a brighter future through literacy.

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 April to June. Congratulations to all!

Cynthia - Starting a new job (nominated by Tina Burns)
Mario - Becoming a U.S. citizen (nominated by Tina Burns)
Farida - Recognition at work (nominated by Joanne Wright)
Mohammed - Getting a new job (nominated by Joanne Wright)
Noe - Mastering a difficult lesson (nominated by Keith Couser)

Pittsburgh Job Fair

📍Saturday, September 13,
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Ross Park Mall
1000 Ross Park Mall Dr,
Pittsburgh, PA 15237

The Pittsburgh Job Fair offers a unique opportunity for job seekers to connect with leading employers in the region. With a diverse range of industries represented, the candidate can find their dream job right here in Pittsburgh.

Job seekers do not need to pre-register. For more information, visit
www.pittsburghjobfairs.com

September Events

Annual Point Breeze Yard Sale

📍Saturday, September 20, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Free Admission to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

📍Tuesday, September 2, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Click here to check availability and book your tickets.

Student Success Stories

Congratulations to the following students!

Literacy Pittsburgh has long provided math classes for participants in the introduction to the Construction Trades pre-apprenticeship program. This year, the program and Pittsburgh Gateways received statewide and national recognition.

Troy Buefort dreamed of creating a better life for his family and found his path in construction. He enrolled in the Introduction to the Construction Trades program, where he met Literacy Pittsburgh math teacher Tina Burns. Tina explains, “Troy focused on every math concept, working hard to master it. Troy worked hard to master math skills and learn from industry leaders." His dedication led to a job with Laborers’ Union Local 1058, where he was named Apprentice of the Year and shared his story with the Department of Labor.

Farida’s journey from Algeria to the U.S. started with the Diversity Visa Program, and her next goal is to become a U.S. citizen. Part of this process involves passing an English test. That’s where Literacy Pittsburgh comes in.

Farida shares her gratitude: “The Literacy Pittsburgh program is helping me improve my English skills. Whether you are new to the city or want to build confidence in reading, writing, or speaking, learning English can open doors to better jobs, education, and daily life… Don’t wait! Pittsburgh is full of opportunities to grow through literacy!”

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

“Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.” — Dalai Lama

“If you are positive, you will see opportunities instead of obstacles.”
— Widad Akrawi