AmeriCorps programs like KEYS and Public Allies play an important role in Pittsburgh and in the US in general. They give people of all backgrounds an opportunity to engage in the community and a lot of intensive training to its members. These programs often don’t get enough praise, money and resources.  Corps members get a small living stipend for their services.

KEYS works in the schools to help mentor at-risk students. Plus they do community service programs like an Urban Garden, Mosaics and other Murals, church restorations, food drives and a lot more.  Most people may not realize that Jamie Walker (a KEYS member working in the area) recently won a nationwide AmeriCorps film contest.  His short film highlights everything that is great about AmeriCorps service: teaching, mentoring, making a difference and empowerment.

Public Allies actually teams members up with the many non-profits around the region. It helps to give the corps member a lot of experience in the field of community service. In return the allies learn leadership skills and gain a ton of training.

AmeriCorps programs are most useful in areas like Pittsburgh. It’s a working class city where many young people not think that they could afford college and have a clean background. But national service programs is a way to help fight that stuff. It gives real life skills to corps members from all backgrounds and at the same time it really makes a difference in the communities around Pittsburgh.    These programs really try to help Pittsburgh in general.

Everyday there is crime and everyday there is community and national service going on in the region. It’s time to put more emphasis on these national service programs and think about AmeriCorps more seriously. Plus it’s also time to give aid to these programs either by giving time, money and think about signing up for AmeriCorps. If that is too much, really think about writing to Congress asking for more AmeriCorps programs in the area.

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Youth, Education & National Service

Road Trip With a Mission: Expanding National Service. AmeriCorps alumni and ServeNext.org members, are traveling the country by bus for the National Service Express Tour, hitting 30 cities in 60 days.

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