ReadyNow! is a free, secure mobile app that helps community members create an emergency plan and alert trusted contacts and legal aid with one click if they are faced with arrest.Unlike static emergency planning resources, ReadyNow! kicks into action in moments of crisis, ensuring that support networks immediately have the information they need to respond. The app was developed in close collaboration with immigration lawyers, digital security experts, and community advocates. It has been r...

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. Chaquita Barnett, Executive Program Director at Pittsburgh Gateways, shared a video about program goals and student achievements at the Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., and at an Awards Presentation at the PA Department of Labor and Industry in May 2025....

By Katy CritchfieldAt Literacy Pittsburgh, almost a quarter of our English language learning students join the program as absolute beginners. Students at this level typically cannot speak or understand English beyond a few words or phrases. While our beginning-level students come from a wide range of linguistic and cultural backgrounds, some of these learners may also be unable to read or write in their first language, have limited formal education, or be starting from scratch with the English a...

“I was where you are, last year.” By Manique Braziel Oftentimes, we place limitations on ourselves that are purely imaginary, yet tangible in how they propel or hinder us from reaching our goals. We measure our entire lives in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, and years. I should have reached this goal by this age. I should have learned this sooner, so I could benefit from it by now. If I had only done this back then, where would I be now? This sentiment is shared by many of our students...

By Vania Arthur  Marked by her contagious joy, quick wit, and compassionate heart, Roberta Hatcher has been a change-maker and pioneer during her tenure as the Training Coordinator at Literacy Pittsburgh. On June 30, Roberta will retire from Literacy Pittsburgh. Moving into the Training Coordinator role will be Jeff Rice, who joined our staff in 2024 as an English Language Learning Instructor.  Before we bid her goodbye, we celebrate Roberta for all the work she’s done at Literacy Pittsbur...

We recently celebrated our Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring volunteers at the annual Starfish Banquet. We were especially pleased to recognize the following tutors for their years of service: ❤️20 YearsPeta Harrigan Cole ❤️10 YearsMarie StadulisDeborah Hayes ❤️5 YearsPatricia BancroftDavid ChapmanVirginia ReckerEstelle SchumacherJohn Wilborn ...

Adult Literacy Action Days – May 20 and 21. Make your voice heard! As you may know, the President recently released his “skinny budget,” which eliminates funding for Adult Education. At Literacy Pittsburgh, federal funds represent 35% of our budget, or $2 million. A cut would significantly reduce the services we can provide to the community. We are rallying our volunteers, students, donors, and friends to ask our members of Congress to sign onto a “Dear Colleague” letter opposing this ...

On Thursday, May 8, Literacy Pittsburgh hosted our annual GED graduation, this time at the beautiful Point Park University!  We were thrilled to welcome 25 of 42 recent graduates from the past program year. Grads, along with their families and friends, celebrated this incredible accomplishment!  Our keynote speaker was Janel Griffin, a 2024 GED graduate who was recently accepted into a nursing program. Janel delivered an inspiring speech, congratulating the graduates and reminding them that th...

Fadila came to the United States from Algeria with her husband and son in 2016. She spoke very little English. A few months after arriving here, a friend told her about Literacy Pittsburgh. She met with a program coordinator and was matched with a volunteer tutor. “It was hard to communicate in the beginning,” Fadila explains. Eventually, it got easier for her after a lot of hard work and practice. Her tutor also helped Fadila to learn about life in Pittsburgh. “I asked so many questions!�...

Hassan is a Data Coordinator for the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Nursing. Born in Afghanistan, Hassan came to the United States with nearly ten years of experience in software engineering and graduated from Kabul Central University.In August of 2021, the Afghan government collapsed. Hassan was participating in a project that helped facilitate his move to the United States one year later. He enrolled in English classes at Literacy Pittsburgh. He heard about Literacy Pittsburgh’s Care...

ByAllegra B. Elson, Director of Training and Development, Vibrant Pittsburgh, allegrae@vibrantpittsburgh.org, andNicole Mannino Johnson, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Literacy Pittsburgh, njohnson@literacypittsburgh.org Expanding access to global talent is not just a hiring strategy; it is a competitive advantage. In collaboration with the City of Pittsburgh’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA), Vibrant Pittsburgh hosts periodic webinars with local partners, including Literacy...

Recently, Literacy Pittsburgh staff had the opportunity to learn about the history of the Hill District.  On a Friday afternoon, we watched and discussed WQED's documentary "Wylie Avenue Days,” which focuses on the rich history of the Hill District. We then visited the August Wilson Center to learn more about the writer August Wilson and his plays centered around life in the Hill District. Students who are enrolled in the course, Introduction to Construction Trades, along with their Literacy ...

Kiran came to the United States with her husband in April 2023 from her home country, Nepal, with a goal. “I always knew that I wanted to be a cosmetologist. As a young woman in Nepal, I styled hair for my family, neighbors, and colleagues,” says Kiran.  By August, she had started taking beauty classes at the New Castle Beauty Academy, but Kiran faced a challenge.  “I already spoke English, but I quickly realized that I needed help to improve my fluency,” she explains. Kiran’s husban...

Governor Shapiro’s proposed FY26 budget includes a much-needed increase for Adult and Family Literacy. This funding is a significant resource that Literacy Pittsburgh relies on to provide programming to students and to support tutors. In fact, the increase represents the complete restoration of funding to the pre-2007 level of $23 million. (Yes, we’ve been waiting a long time for this increase!) Please help Literacy Pittsburgh and our adult education colleagues across Pennsylvania build supp...

What an unforgettable evening! On April 3, more than 450 guests gathered at NOVA Place for One Big Table, celebrating the incredible diversity and community spirit that make Pittsburgh shine. The room buzzed with energy, from the dazzling performances to the mouthwatering flavors from some of the city’s best restaurants. Through it all, we came together to support Literacy Pittsburgh, ensuring that more students can achieve their dreams through the power of education. A Feast for the Senses Gu...

By Nicole Mannino Johnson, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Literacy Pittsburgh, njohnson@literacypittsburgh.org Immigrants make up over 19% of the U.S. workforce—over 32 million out of a total of 169 million—and participate in the labor force at a higher rate than native-born workers, according to June 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1 With an aging population and a shrinking number of working-age adults, immigration is enabling continued economic growth in the U.S.2 U...

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We are excited to share that Literacy Pittsburgh has earned a 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, also known as Guidestar. The website offers donors a way to stay up to date on the latest facts and insights on nonprofits. A Platinum Seal is its highest level of recognition and indicates our commitment to informing supporters about our strategies, metrics, and achievements. Check out our updated Nonprofit Profile on Candid at this link....

My wife Elena and I were born in the USSR, in Kyrgyzstan. We got married in 1991 in the city of Frunze. We studied at the Polytechnic Institute, and after graduating from the institute, we each worked in our own specialty. Elena as a programmer at the Slavic University, and I as an engineer at the Lenin Plant. As usual, time flies, and our son Dima was born in 1993. In 1994, we went to Israel and learned Hebrew. In 2000, our daughter Maya was born. In 2015, Elena filled out a form to enter the G...

Literacy Pittsburgh strives to deliver educational programming that creates stronger career outcomes for our students. Our College Pathways program will ensure that students seeking to attend college can successfully transition from Literacy Pittsburgh classes to college, persist to completion, and build their careers.   Our vision is that all students with a higher education goal will effectively navigate a pathway to college because they understand the process, master aligned coursework, and...

Volodymyr Rafeyenko is a multilingual, international award-winning author, translator, and literary and film critic from Ukraine. He was invited to Pittsburgh in 2023 by City of Asylum, a residency program for artists living in exile under threat of persecution. For almost 30 years, Volodymyr wrote his works in Russian but dedicated himself to fully Ukrainian expression as an act of resistance. Volodymyr began pursuing English as an additional language through Literacy Pittsburgh in April 2024. ...

As we navigate recent policy changes that could affect immigrant communities, Literacy Pittsburgh strives to inform, support, and empower our students and staff without creating unnecessary fear. On January 15, we had the privilege of hosting Monica Ruiz, Executive Director of Casa San Jose, for a "Know Your Rights" presentation. While not legal advice, this session provided critical information about rights everyone living in the United States has under the U.S. Constitution and how to navigate...

“I lost my job in June and I wanted to make sure my computer skills were up to date,” Melissa says. “Now, I’ll be working with clients as a Career Navigator, helping them to make sure that they have what they need to be successful in the job market.” Melissa went to college for education in Georgia and spent a number of years working as a loan specialist for higher education. She wanted to make a switch from customer service to something that made a bigger impact on the community. She ...

By Nicole Mannino Johnson, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Literacy Pittsburgh, njohnson@literacypittsburgh.org and Allegra B. Elson, Director of Training and Development, Vibrant Pittsburgh, allegrae@vibrantpittsburgh.org As of June 2024, there were 1.9 active online job advertisements for every unemployed worker in Allegheny County.1 Immigrant workers bring considerable talent to our region and help fill labor gaps across sectors. Immigrants in the City of Pittsburgh are 18.3% more likely t...

By Israel Centeno  Fifteen years ago, I arrived in Pittsburgh carrying little luggage but a heavy, invisible burden—a traumatic past that still clings to me like a shadow. Yet, this story isn't about what I left behind or the ghosts that trail me. It's about how, in the rupture of exile, I found new roots and a place to call home.  Pittsburgh welcomed me as a writer-in-residence at City of Asylum, an organization that did more than offer refuge—it brought my family to safety and even tra...

Vladmir, a native of Chile, took his oath of U.S. Citizenship at the Heinz History Center on Thursday, November 21, 2024. He was joined by 48 other men and women representing 27 different countries from around the globe. Nearly every continent was represented! The ceremony was conducted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  Vladimir takes his Oath of Allegiance alongside another new citizen.  Vladmir, like the other new citizens, had to learn a great deal to ach...

Literacy Pittsburgh students have so many opportunities to achieve success. Becoming proficient in English, gaining U.S. citizenship, earning a GED diploma, and preparing for college are excellent successes.  However, some students consider a different path, one that offers good-paying jobs in high-demand roles. Students who enjoy working with tools, constructing items with their hands, and working as part of a team can thrive in the building trades. Building trades include a wealth of choices,...

Literacy Pittsburgh’s nine Program Coordinators are spread across Allegheny and Beaver Counties and work directly with students and volunteer tutors in a specific geographic area. On November 7, Miguel Diaz, Program Coordinator for the Jefferson-Mon Valley area, presented a Tutor Talk about the day-to-day work of a Program Coordinator. We thought this might be interesting to you too! Tutors mostly know coordinators as the people who match them with students and provide ongoing support. Yet Pro...