Libraries & Museums

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Free public library, with a plethora of things to do besides borrowing books, videos & movies of course! They offer various free language classes, events for kids and adults alike, volunteer opportunities if you’re so inclined: https://www.carnegielibrary.org/

Toy Library, Pittsburgh: is a volunteer-run cooperative play space and toy library.  It provides a safe, imaginative and playful environment for young children. One of the best places for kids on rainy days: http://pghtoys.org/

Carnegie Museums: Interesting exhibitions, events & for making the most of cold freezing days: https://carnegiemuseums.org/

Unusual Museums around town:
https://www.discovertheburgh.com/unusual-museums-in-pittsburgh/

Public Services

Recycling, Trash Collection Schedules & other environmental services: http://pittsburghpa.gov/dpw/environmental-services/residential-recycling.html

Port Authority: Transport made easy. Get information on bus schedules, where to buy Connect Cards (bus pass) & how to activate it: https://www.portauthority.org/

GoMobile Pittsburgh: It’s a free parking App & very useful if you drive. You can pay for the parking and extend if you need to, no need to carry change & go all the way to the parking meter: http://www.gomobilepittsburgh.com/

Bike Pittsburgh: Interactive trail maps & routes. Info on bike trails: http://www.bikepgh.org/resources/maps-guides-more/map-routes/

Employment Authorization Card (EAD): If you are eligible, applications & information for EAD can be found here: https://www.uscis.gov/

The Center for Women (CFW), can help you get back on your feet if you decide to renter the job market by providing resume & cover letter reviews, women to women mentoring, practice for your interviewing skills: http://www.centerforwomenpgh.org/

Culture & Events

Global Pittsburgh: Brings together globally-minded people in the Pittsburgh region through membership activities and hosting programs, helps universities and English Language programs attract more international students, coordinates visits for international delegations through the U.S. Department of State: https://www.globalpittsburgh.org/

All about Pittsburgh: Find upcoming events, hottest new restaurants, happenings around town: https://www.nextpittsburgh.com/

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: Information on Public Theatre, Symphony, Opera, Ballet, CLO: https://trustarts.org/

Pittsburgh CitiParks: Info on parks, ice skating, farmers' markets, check in summer for various free open-air concerts and movie screenings: http://pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/parks.html

Pittsburgh Events & Calendar: You can also find restaurants, nightlife & shopping according to the neighborhood: https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/events-festivals/

National Audobon Society: Free events for both kids and adults: http://www.audubon.org/

Education for Adults

Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council (GPLC): Focuses on adult education and literacy. Great resource for developing your English language skills, preparing for GED, Computer skills etc. See a list of their programs by clicking here: https://www.gplc.org/our-programs.cfm

Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) is great for furthering your education offering diplomas, degrees and certificate courses: https://www.ccac.edu/

The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (PCA) is a non-profit community arts campus that offers arts education programs and contemporary art exhibitions: http://center.pfpca.org/

Duolingo: Learn 23+ languages for free: https://en.duolingo.com/

Coursera: Take free online classes from 140+ top universities and educational organizations. They partner with schools like Stanford, Yale, etc: https://www.coursera.org/courses

Open Learning Initiative at CMU (fee charged):  
http://oli.cmu.edu/get-to-know-oli/learn-more-about-oli/

Khan Academy: Free online courses:
https://www.khanacademy.org/ 

MOOC  (Massive Open Online Course): Free online courses:
https://www.mooc-list.com

TED Talks: 2200+ talks to listen to enrich your knowledge
https://www.ted.com/talks/browse

Other Websites to study English:
http://learningenglish.voanews.com/
http://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/How%20to%20Learn%20English.html
http://www.talkenglish.com/
http://www.memrise.com/courses/english/english/

Lectures for both Adult & Kids: connect with celebrated authors, participate in civic discourse, feed your creativity & passion for the literary arts: https://pittsburghlectures.org/programs/

Education for Kids

SPORTS

• Ballet- PBT (18mo-adult) (http://www.pbt.org/school)
• Bodiography in SQ Hill (3yo-adult)(http://www.bodiographycbc.com/)
• Soccer (local team) - Dynamo (5-15yo) at Schenley Oval (http://www.pghdynamo.org/home.php)
• Gymnastic - Gymkhana (http://gymkhanafun.com/)
• Gym&Swim- Pitt's Kids (http://www.cll.pitt.edu/)
• Baseball (local team)- SQ Hill Baseball Association (5-18yo.) (http://www.sqhillbaseball.org/)
• Fencing - Three Rivers Fencing Club (8yo-adult) (http://trfc.typepad.com/trfc_classes/)
• Kids Sport Club - Swimming,dance, gymnastics, etc.
• Sarah Heinz House (http://www.sarahheinzhouse.org/programs/)
• JCC (http://jccpgh.org/)

MUSIC

• CMU music school (4-18 yo.) (http://music.cmu.edu/pages/preparatory-school)
• Duquesne University City Music Center (http://www.cmcpgh.org/departments/piano.aspx)

ART

• Carnegie Museum - Saturday art class (5-15 yo.) (http://www.cmoa.org/saturday-art-classes/)

GAME

• Pittsburgh Chess Club (http://www.pittsburghcc.org/)

ROBOTICS

• Girls of Steel Robotics (9-17 yo) (http://www.frc.ri.cmu.edu/girlsofsteel/) - LEGO robot competition team for girls.

Shopping

GROCERY STORES

• Strip District: Various bakeries/restaurants & ethnic/international food stores line the busy street. (Polish, Italian, Asian, Latin, Middle Eastern): http://stripdistrictneighbors.com/

• Whole Foods Market: Organic Produce, ready food, groceries, cosmetics: https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/shop/PTB

• Aldi: Retail chain selling grocery items, including produce, meat & dairy, at discount prices. Address: 5631 Baum Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Phone#: (855) 955-2534. Hours:  Mon. – Sat. 9AM – 9PM; Sunday: 9AM – 7PM.

• Trader Joe’s: Grocery chain with a variety of signature items, plus produce, dairy, breads. Address: 6343 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Phone#: 412 363 5748. Hours:  8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

• Giant Eagle Market Place: 5550 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. Phone#: (412) 681-1500. Hours: Mon. – Sunday: 6AM – 12AM.

• Tokyo Japanese Food Store: http://www.tokyostorepgh.com/contact_en.html

• Bombay Indian Grocery Store: http://abombay.com/contact.php

• Young’s Oriental Grocery Store: 5813 Forward Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA  15217, Phone#: (412) 422-0559.

MALLS & SHOPPING PLAZAS

• South Side Works: Movies, Restaurants & Clothing: https://southsideworks.com/

• Waterfront: Giant Eagle, Marshall’s, Target, DSW Shoes, Best Buy, Loews Movie Theater, various restaurants, http://www.waterfrontpgh.com/

• Robinson Mall: https://shoprobinsonmall.com/

• Monroeville Mall: http://www.monroevillemall.com/

• Grove City Outlet Mall: http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/grove-city

THRIFT STORES

• Goodwill: Long-standing nonprofit chain store with a range of pre-owned clothing, furniture, housewares & more. Address: 5993 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (there are other Goodwill stores in the city). Phone#:  (412) 924-0070. Hours: 9AM – 7PM.

• Salvation Army Thrift Store:  Long-standing nonprofit thrift store with a range of pre-owned clothing, furniture, housewares & more. Address: 44 S 9th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. Phone#:(412) 481-7900. Hours: 9AM – 8PM.

• St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Sotre:  Long-standing nonprofit chain store with a range of pre-owned clothing, furniture, housewares & more, various locations around Pittsburgh: http://svdppitt.org/stores/store-locations-directions/

• Thriftique thrift store of pre-owned clothing, furniture, housewares & more: http://www.ncjwthriftique.com/ 

Healthcare

TERMINOLOGY

• PCP = Primary Care Physician                                   
• OB/GYN = Obstetric/Gynecologist  (Women)
• Co-pay = The amount to pay at the doctors             
• ER = Emergency Room
• Pediatrician = Children’s Doctor                               
• UPMC = University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (Most places belong to this) 

FACILITIES

• Presbyterian University Hospital (PRESBY): 200 Lothrop street   Oakland 412-647-2345 
• Magee Women’s Hospital: Childbirth, fertility issues, family - Planning, women’s health. Address: 300 Halkett Street Oakland  412-296-2433 
• Children’s Hospital (birth to adolescent): 4401 Penn Avenue  Friendship 412-692-5325 
• Shadyside Hospital: 5230 Center Avenue  Oakland 412-623-2121 

ALL the Above Hospitals are part of the UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) System and have Emergency rooms open 24 hours a day.

• West Penn Hospital: 4800 Friendship Ave  412-578-5000 
• Allegheny General Hospital (AGH): 320 North Avenue North side 412-359-3131 

These Hospitals also have ER available 24/7.
INSURANCE CARD: Highmark or UPMC
URGENT CARE: Urgicare or Medexpress Website - UPMC 412-623-4114
No appointments needed.

Note: If you are looking for any other information that’s not here, do not hesitate to ask us via email or at one of the meetings. If you have been in Pittsburgh for a while & have some helpful hints, let us know & we would be happy to add it.