The BeLit Bulletin, November 2021
Comcast and BeLit Help Bridge the Digital Divide
Big thanks to Comcast for co-hosting the grand opening of our new Kensington center and generously gifting hundreds of laptops to our learners. Over 25% of BeLit's 2000 adult learners lack home access to a computer. Comcast's life-changing donated resources allow our students in need to participate in our hybrid classes from a screen other than a smartphone.

Not only did BeLit unveil our new site at 100 W. Oxford Street during this special event, but we also celebrated the 10th anniversary of Comcast's signature digital equity program, Internet Essentials. Learn more about our high-impact partnership with Comcast thanks to this recent news coverage by Technical.ly.
A few quotes from our surprised learners at the event...
  • "Now I don't need to stay up so late borrowing my daughter's school computer for my homework."
  • "I can't believe I actually have a laptop! I never thought I'd own my own computer."
  • "This journey is one of the best things I could have done for myself."
BeLit WINS over $40,000 at Philanthropitch!
We continue to be overwhelmed with gratitude by your show of support from voting online, to generously donating, to attending the live pitch... we owe our success to your generosity. Thank you!

With these funds, our dream of bringing a mobile learning lab to our city's hardest-to-reach communities will soon be a reality, making free, high quality adult learning more efficient, effective, and accessible. We look forward to sharing updates as this this roving resource is propelled from concept to community asset.
BeLit's Fall Open Houses

We love the communities we serve! We appreciate this opportunity to share our mission and services through our fall open house events at each of our three centers. Throughout the week, visitors were able to see first hand the difference your support makes through our fully equipped academic centers, hybrid classes, and talented teachers. Your involvement allows us to touch more lives. Thank you for visiting us!
OUR LEARNER SPOTLIGHT:
Ardmore Tanksley, 29
BeLit Graduate & Team Member

In 2017, Ardmore Tanksley discovered that despite successfully graduating from high school, his transcripts and educational records were lost. Left with limited options, Ardmore decided to enroll in BeLit's free classes to obtain his GED so he could pursue a more fulfilling career.

Ardmore began classes in 2018 at our West Philadelphia center. He enjoyed his time as a learner and feels he owes his teachers recognition for how much they cared about him and his future. He was able to quickly graduate with his GED in 2019.

Ardmore continued his education by obtaining his CompTIA A+ Certification in order to open up opportunities for a career in IT. "I had to stay focused. Hopefully this skill can turn into me working for myself one day... doing computer repairs or building for others," Ardmore said. "I built this new confidence in myself from Beyond Literacy."

Ardmore has since joined the team at Beyond Literacy as an Administrative Assistant and Digital Navigator. With his knowledge in technology, and his perspective as a former adult learner, Ardmore is directly helping to bridge the digital divide in his community. "I hope I can inspire others. It is such a blessing that outside of getting my GED, Beyond Literacy offered me a position. It is humble work that I respect."
Beyond Literacy, the leading adult education agency in Philadelphia, is the result of a recent merger between Center for Literacy and Community Learning Center. Our mission is to expand opportunities and improve lives by unleashing the power of literacy through free, high-quality education.