Each week during this season of giving, we will introduce you to an amazing BeLit grad whose special story leaves us inspired. The success story below of Class of 2018 grad, Mariam Ibrahim, is only one example from hundreds each year - all made possible thanks to supporters like YOU. Please join our community of literacy allies by giving today.

Mariam Shares Compassionate Care

English Language Proficiency Grad, Class of 2018

After earning her BS from Thomas Jefferson University, Mariam now works as a MRI Technologist at Penn Medicine.

Mariam came to the U.S. from Egypt with her family in 2017 and quickly began her English language journey at Beyond Literacy. "BeLit put me on my feet and helped me stand," she said. " I was isolated, I didn't have a community and I didn't understand the system. My teacher became my friend, my sister, my supporter. She played many roles in my life and BeLit became my U.S. family."

Since completing her English Language Studies at BeLit, Mariam has been unstoppable in reaching her goals. She participated at The Welcoming Center Immigrant Leadership Institute before attending CCP where in addition to her studies, she served as Vice President and Recording Secretary of the Student Government Association (SGA).

From there, Mariam transferred and in 2022 graduated from Thomas Jefferson University as a Technician and earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This year, Mariam began working as a MRI technologist at Penn Medicine. "It feels amazing. It's been challenging but with consistency and determination, I started to believe in myself," she said.

In addition to her many accomplishments, Mariam continues to be a part of BeLit's community by translating flyers into Arabic, to help reach immigrant communities. "Belonging to someplace helps you grow. Connecting to the soil of a community helps you grow. Beyond Literacy gave me that sense of belonging."

In Philadelphia, over 600,000 adults lack the literacy and language skills to reach their professional goals, help their children with homework or to complete a job application. With your support, BeLit can help meet our region's growing need for adult education opportunities.

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.