Leaders for Literacy Luncheon

Thank you for making our 24th Annual Leaders for Literacy Luncheon the most successful in our history!

Honorary Chair Richard G. Camejo, Jr. of UPS welcomed 325 business and community leaders to the Fairmont Pittsburgh on November 3, 2011. With a theme of "Education: Creating Opportunity from Adversity" the luncheon celebrated the hard work and successes of GPLC's adult learners. Event sponsors and guests donated nearly $135,000 for GPLC's student programs!

Guest speaker Liz Murray wowed the audience with her heartfelt remarks about the hardships she faced growing up as the child of drug-addicted parents in the tenements and streets of New York. Liz emphasized the importance of having a mentor who believed in her and encouraged her to strive for more. This encouragement led her to finish high school in just two years and win a scholarship to Harvard University. With education, her bleak circumstances turned into a future filled with limitless possibility.

GPLC student Nate Bashioum recounted that his main skill in school was "causing a lot of trouble. Teachers would pass me to get rid of me." Nate dropped out of school unable to read a sentence or spell a word. At GPLC, he found people who were interested in him and interested in where he wanted to go in life. "None of the teacher of tutors told me I couldn't do anything," Nate explained. "It was going to be a long road, but not an impossible road." This year, a week before his 29th birthday, Nate earned his GED diploma. He is now enrolled at Community College of Allegheny County and dreams of a career in flying.

Thank you for giving our students the chance to follow their dreams!

Enjoy photos from the event below. For more visit our event Shutterfly site.