Literacy Pittsburgh has made exciting progress during the first year and a half of our strategic plan. We have exceeded nearly every goal we set for this stage of implementation, most notably student accomplishments:
- employment outcomes up by 43%
- post-secondary transitions up by 20%
- GED attainment up by 4%
- 114% increase in the number of students obtaining digital skills certifications
In addition, we made strides in boosting our infrastructure and programmatic offerings:
- Created supplemental classes for waiting students
- Debuted a course catalog so students could see and understand their options
- Launched a college pathways program for students with this goal
- Piloted ERAS (Empowering ReAders for Success), an innovation in our school-based tutoring program that we plan to scale in the next two years
- Grew staffing by 19% and compensation; restructured staff to provide stronger supervision and support for student learning initiatives
- Implemented safety procedures at our Downtown Pittsburgh teaching site
A multifaceted approach to funding helps to ensure the sustainability of these efforts into the future:
- Increased private giving to operations increased by 37% through contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations
- Strengthened our long-term sustainability with investments to help us with cash flow, emergencies, and long-term savings
We look forward to the next 18 months of our strategic plan, even as the current climate creates uncertainties for funding, opportunities for immigrant students, and our country’s safety net. Nevertheless, we will persist firmly in the knowledge that our work changes lives and that we are ready, relevant, and sustainable for navigating the future.
Literacy Pittsburgh (formerly Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council) helps create better lives through learning. Recognized as a national leader in adult and family literacy, Literacy Pittsburgh is the largest provider of adult basic education in Allegheny and Beaver Counties. Last year, Literacy Pittsburgh helped more than 4,000 individuals acquire the skills needed to reach their fullest potential in life and participate productively in their communities. Literacy Pittsburgh provides free, personalized instruction in workforce readiness, high school diploma test preparation, digital literacy, English language learning, math, reading, and family literacy through one-to-one and small class instruction. Founded in 1982, it serves local adults through numerous neighborhood locations and its Downtown Pittsburgh Learning Center.
