We are very proud to share that we were selected as Team of the Year in the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association's Engaging Pittsburgh: Innovative People Practices Awards. By encouraging communication, investing in professional development, and aligning responsibilities with strategic goals, Literacy Pittsburgh has built a team environment dedicated to student success. We are honored to be recognized for these efforts at PHRA's recent awards luncheon....

We’re excited to share that Literacy Pittsburgh has been named East End Brewing Company's Charity of the Month for May. East End Brewing has several convenient locations, including their Larimer Brewpub in the East End, the Mt. Lebanon Taproom, and a seasonal pop-up beer garden along the North Side bike trail.  Stop by, enjoy some great local food and craft beer, and help show support for our mission.  This is a fun and easy way to get out in the community and help raise awareness and s...

We are thrilled to celebrate Alex Dow as  Practitioner of the Year—a recognition that reflects not only his exceptional technical expertise, but the profound, human-centered impact he has on Literacy Pittsburgh every day. He received his award last month at the annual conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Adult Continuing Education. As the architect of our first comprehensive internal data system, Alex has transformed how we understand student engagement and strengthened our ability t...

Protect Adult Education Funding From now through June 5, we need your help to protect federal adult education funding. The Administration’s proposed FY 2027 budget again calls for eliminating this funding, which would have serious consequences for our learners and programs. This proposal is not final—Congress is now in the appropriations process, and past experience shows that coordinated advocacy works. Last year, strong participation from staff, students, volunteers, and donors helped Cong...

At Literacy Pittsburgh, we believe strong partnerships make lasting impact possible. Through long-term investment, volunteer engagement, and a focus on workforce readiness, our collaboration with PPG Industries and the PPG Foundation reflects a shared belief that education is a powerful engine for individual opportunity and regional growth. For Yaqi Wo, Literacy Pittsburgh’s board member and a PPG leader, this work is deeply personal. “I grew up valuing the importance of how education can tr...

"Most Americans don't realize how very difficult the English language is to speak... I would like to be a bridge to others."After seeing a friend find success at Literacy Pittsburgh, D’Arcy decided it was time to expand her own options. She is currently working toward her GED with plans to move into CPU classes for Excel and Google certifications. But her ultimate vision is higher learning: an Associate degree in languages to become an interpreter. Growing up in the West Bronx, D’Arcy discov...

We are pleased to recognize three of our staff members, Miguel Diaz Segura, Leah Patterson, and Nile Wilson, for five years of service to Literacy Pittsburgh. Miguel Diaz SeguraProgram Coordinator – College Pathways Originally from California, Miguel Diaz Segura came to Pittsburgh 5 years ago. He spearheads our College Pathways programming, which offers classes and workshops to help students make a smooth transition to college. Students learn about the application process and financial aid, d...

This month, we launched new cohorts for classes in Customer Service, QuickBooks Certification Prep, and Microsoft Office Specialist Excel. These classes offer Literacy Pittsburgh students an opportunity to develop essential workplace skills and certifications.  The MOS Excel preparation class develops the advanced productivity software skills employers need. MOS-certified employees demonstrate verified proficiency in the Microsoft Office applications that drive business operations acro...

PAACE, or the Pennsylvania Association of Adult Continuing Education, is the state’s organization for advocacy of adult and continuing education. Each year, PAACE holds a conference where adult educators, administrators, staff, and tutors from across the state of Pennsylvania convene to learn and network together. Eleven Literacy Pittsburgh staff members from across the agency will be presenting at this year's conference, held April 26-27 and May 1. Carey Harris, Terra Teets, and Miranda Pino...

The Administration’s proposed FY 2027 budget once again calls for eliminating federal adult education funding—a move that would have serious consequences for our learners, our programs, and the communities Literacy Pittsburgh serves. While this proposal is deeply concerning, it is not final. Congress now begins the appropriations process, and history shows that strong, coordinated advocacy can make the difference. Just last year, Congress rejected a similar proposal after we (staff, stud...

City of Pittsburgh First Lady and Literacy Pittsburgh board member Katie O’Connor recently convened a roundtable on early childhood development, with Literacy Pittsburgh CEO Carey Harris participating. Mrs. O’Connor’s commitment to championing young children and their families through lifelong learning is energizing, and we are eager to support her efforts.  Although most of Literacy Pittsburgh’s programs focus on adults, many of those adults are parents working hard to build the ski...

We are excited to share that Terra Teets, Program Manager of Auxiliary Teaching/Support has been selected as Pennsylvania's new State Advocate for Adult Education Fellow (SAAEF) through COABE, a national organization that advocates on behalf of adult education.  “I care deeply about adult learners, second chances, workforce pathways, and the educators and programs doing this work every day,” Terra explains. “This new role is a commitment to take that passion one step further by sho...

Diana moved to the United States from Ukraine in April 2023. Seeking safety and stability for her family amidst the war in her home country, Diana chose to settle in Pittsburgh to begin a new chapter.  In Ukraine, Diana was a dedicated healthcare professional. She holds a university degree in pharmacy and possesses many years of experience working as a pharmacist. While she is not currently practicing in her profession, her passion for healthcare remains her driving force as she navigates her n...

As CEO of Highmark Wholecare and a current board member of Literacy Pittsburgh, Ellen Duffield sees firsthand how literacy and education shape economic opportunities, workforce readiness, and even community health. “It is critically important to the success of organizations like Highmark Wholecare that we have a skilled, literate workforce,” Ellen says. “We serve diverse populations with complex health and social needs. Strong language skills, including multilingual capacit...

Immigration policy shifts are reshaping the landscape for Literacy Pittsburgh’s foreign-born students, creating new barriers that reach far beyond the classroom. Many learners now face uncertainty about their legal status—even those already vetted and approved—fear of attending in-person programs, and restrictions on employment opportunities—all of which disrupt their ability to build stable lives and pursue education. These challenges don’t exist in isolation; they ripple outward...

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Sometimes new volunteers tell us they have considered tutoring for many years, but were hesitant to sign up because they weren’t sure they could do it. At Literacy Pittsburgh, our Academic Team provides training and ongoing support to all our tutors to help them succeed.  Tutoring Specialist Lindsey Crumley and Tutor Training Coordinator Jeff Rice compiled some of the most frequently asked questions from new volunteers. If you have been considering signing up to tutor, you may have some of th...

As we welcome a new year, many of us take time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we hope to go. At Literacy Pittsburgh, goal-setting is at the heart of everything we do—because every student who walks through our doors brings their own aspirations, challenges, and dreams for the future. No matter the goal, our work begins with understanding each student’s starting point and creating a clear, personalized pathway forward. A Strong Start Through Placement and Assessment When students ...

When it comes to shaping the future of Literacy Pittsburgh, few people have left as enduring a mark as Louise Herrle. Her journey with the organization spans nearly four decades, beginning in 1984. It was then that she first became a tutor after connecting with former Executive Director Don Block at a United Way meeting. “I was a tutor for a number of years, and fairly quickly, Don asked me to join the board,” Louise recalls. She served on the board from 1988 to 1999, including six y...

The Career Services team at Literacy Pittsburgh is dedicated to helping students carve a path forward through a variety of methods. Whether students are looking to write a resume, apply for jobs, find training programs, or discuss their options, we are here to help. Some of the services we provide include:  Drop-in Hours are offered 3 days per week at our Downtown Center. They are designed to help answer job search-related questions quickly. No appointment needed. Career Advising is for stud...

With the new year comes the news that Literacy Pittsburgh will not be hosting its annual One Big Table event in 2026. The celebration is being paused to focus energy on what matters most: supporting our students and programs directly. While we were looking forward to celebrating with you in April, this decision reflects our commitment to responsible stewardship amid potential federal funding cuts. We hope to bring back the event, more vibrant than ever, in 2027. Literacy Pittsburgh remains stron...

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N'Gnyoh recently landed a position at UPMC through our Pathways to Work collaboration. This program, launched last year, builds on a partnership started in 2019. Pathways to Work provides a preliminary recruiter to help unemployed or underemployed adults facing barriers in their job hunt. The recruiter provides support and advice on resumes, interview tips, skill assessment, free training opportunities, and guidance on UPMC jobs and UPMC Health Plan applications. Earlier this year, N'Gnyoh hear...

For Art Rectenwald, supporting Literacy Pittsburgh is both a personal and a professional commitment. As founder and CEO of Rectenwald Brothers Construction—a national leader in commercial construction—Art has built more than just buildings. He’s built a business grounded in hard work, relationships, and opportunity.   With a workforce that includes many immigrant employees, he understands firsthand how literacy skills can open doors. When he connected with Literacy Pittsburgh through CEO...

Yeraldin moved to the United States from Colombia in May 2022. She came here through a cultural exchange program called Au Pair. Yeraldin sought to expand her knowledge, experience American culture, and improve her English. Her now wife joined her here through the same program.    “What I like best about Pittsburgh is that it’s a city full of opportunities,” Yeraldin says. It’s very beautiful and there’s always something to do. It has a strong and welcoming community.”  Yeral...

Mark your calendar for “Give Big, Pittsburgh!”  Pittsburgh’s annual charitable donation event on Giving Tuesday falls on December 2 this year. Literacy Pittsburgh will be participating once again in this exciting fundraiser. You can help make the holidays extra special for Literacy Pittsburgh’s students and provide them with the tools they need to achieve their goals. On December 2, just visit givebigpittsburgh.com and make a donation to Literacy Pittsburgh (or to any of the other g...

Last month, CEO Carey Harris and Marketing and Communications Director Maria Polinsky attended the Best Places to Work celebration at PNC Park hosted by the Pittsburgh Business Times.  This is the third time that our staff has earned Literacy Pittsburgh a Best Place to Work designation! Staff complete a survey about organizational culture and working environment. While we are proud of this honor, the Best Places to Work Survey is a valuable tool for benchmarking our strengths and identifying a...