The BeLit Bulletin, November 2022
Inspired by our amazing adult learners? Then please consider becoming a BeLit Volunteer. You'll meet resilient people with diverse experiences, grow as a person, and make a positive difference in someone’s life. Check out our all-new volunteer opportunities here: Volunteers - Beyond Literacy
Save the Date: Adult School Supply Drive 12/3

Did you know BeLit's no-cost classes include free school supplies for our learners? To make this possible, the Colonial Democrats of Montgomery County are hosting a school supply drive for BeLit throughout the month of November.

As you start your holiday shopping, please consider picking up one of our most needed supplies which can be found here on SmileAmazon.

Donation drop-off day is Saturday, 12/3, 10AM-12PM just off Germantown Pike at the Whitemarsh Township Building (4021 Joshua Rd, Lafayette Hill 19444). The BeLit team - and a few of our current learners - will be there to greet donors and offer tours of our new mobile learning lab. Please join us!
Meet Zaire, Our New Digital Navigation Specialist

Thanks to generous support from Comcast and the United Way, our digital services team has a new leader. With years of experience as an education strategy consultant, Zaire Martin joined BeLit to spearhead our high-impact Digital Navigation program.

Traveling the city in our new mobile learning lab, Zaire visits low-connected neighborhoods to help provide residents with affordable, reliable internet plans and digital resources. Passionate about digital equity, Zaire explains, "Access to technology in tandem with specialized support will help close the opportunity gaps in underserved communities." Email Zaire here to learn more about our digital navigator services.
Recruiting Now for our 2023 Clean Energy Pre-Apprenticeship Class!

Do you know a young adult looking for a clean energy career? Want to earn 8 different energy credentials while simultaneously working toward a GED? BeLit's life-changing pre-apprenticeship program offered in partnership with the Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) is now accepting applications. Women, minorities, and justice-impacted individuals are highly encouraged to apply for this high-impact, 4-month program that begins 1/9/2023.

Email Workforce Development Manager, Dzemila Bilanovic or click here to register! Learn more at our virtual info sessions held at 12PM and 6PM on the following dates (pre-registration required): November 8th, 15th, and 22nd, and December 6th and 13th
BeLit Learner Spotlight:
Eman Soliman, 41, English Language Learner
Born and raised in Egypt, Eman grew up with the goal of becoming a teacher. After High School, she completed her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and began her teaching career in a preschool classroom. At age 24, she married her husband, a civil engineer, and moved to Saudi Arabia for his work where she continued her teaching career. “I’ve always loved teaching. I love to try a variety of ways to help someone learn,” Eman says.

In 2019, Eman and her family moved to America in search of greater opportunities for their four children. Eman enrolled in English Language proficiency classes at Beyond Literacy in 2020. Quickly progressing to advanced-level classes, she also took advantage of the student support resources and workshops BeLit has to offer such as financial literacy, conversation classes, and even job interview preparation.

Graduating her English courses at BeLit this past February, Eman applied for a teaching position at an early childhood education center in West Philadelphia. Nervous about her interview, she turned to her BeLit Career Coach, Lindsay Blade, for support. “Lindsay helped me so much with my interview. She shared tips on how to prepare and helped me practice answering questions,” Eman said.
Inspired by Eman’s dedication and passion for learning, Lindsay wrote a letter of reference for Eman to share at her interview. “Getting back to her career of teaching after arriving in USA was one of Eman's biggest goals,” Lindsay says. “She is so driven and deserves to shine in her field of interest! She has dedicated her life to parenting these last few years. It was finally time for her to do something for herself and support her family in a new way.” 

Acing her interview, Eman was hired as the center's lead Pre-K teacher. She is grateful for the opportunity and credits BeLit for helping her learn about both America's language and culture. A role model in her community, Eman has already motivated two friends to enroll in English language classes at BeLit. “All the teachers are perfect and really helped me on my journey.”
Beyond Literacy's mission is to expand opportunities and improve lives by unleashing the power of literacy through free, high-quality adult education and career readiness.