The Pittsburgh  KEYS Service Corps website was the first thing I was introduced to. Since one of the members recommended watching the videos, that was the first thing I watched.  The first video was nice since it just gave me a really good feel about what Americorps in general.

The timing actually worked out rather well, as soon as I finished browsing the website, Sharon showed up. So we started to talk about what KEYS does in Pittsburgh and some of the programs already in the works and new programs in the works.

One of the things that really stuck out and was really positive for me to see was how interested Sharon and everyone in the office were about the people that work for KEYS.  Sharon was really proud that one team members made won the video contest held by AmeriCorps ( winning video) .  Most of the staff workers have worked in AmeriCorps before working on the staff for KEYS.

It was kind of surprising to hear how one of the problems that KEYS face in Pittsburgh was how personal life can interfere with some of the service projects.  I would have thought the budget or not being able to help as many people would come out on first. But it was nice to hear that. Since it just showed me how much of a people focus, they had at KEYS. It was more than just the service. It was about growth and working together.

Although another problem mentioned was how the federal rules have changed some requiring more matching of money to the federal dollars to help make programs more self-sustainable in the next few years.

Then Sharon pulled in Holly (another staff member for KEYS), then the conversation became more open than just KEYS. It was about how KEYS was more diverse then other AmeriCorps programs in the area.  All the other corps in the area tended to pull people from a school (Healthcorps will pull med students, Public Allies were pulling people from the Pitt’s social work program and etc).

Plus it was really interesting to talk about City Year and how they are different from many AmeriCorps Programs in the fact they are sponsored by Timberland and don’t  have to say they are affiliated with AmeriCorps . I knew about City Year but had no idea they were related to AmeriCorps until just recently.  KEYS always have to say KEYS an AmeriCorps Program.

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