Hello From the AmeriCorps KEYS Headquarters :-)

Hey Everyone!

For those of you who are not familiar, I'd like to introduce you to KEYS Service Corps, an AmeriCorps Program! Please refer to our about me section to the left and check out our user profile to get the scoop on exactly who we are and what we do.

So you're probably wondering what to expect from this blog site. Ultimately, we want to get you interested in national and local service. We want to get you excited about your community, global and local. We hope to ignite that passion you have stirring inside. We want to push you to do the things you've always wanted to do but for whatever reason, never have - whether that be obtaining your GED, serving at-risk youth in your community, or fulfilling the dream of a obtaining a college education, etc. We want to know where and when you're going to do your term of service.

So let's get down to the nitty gritty, shall we?! Projects, ideas and opportunities are bustling at the KEYS headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh as well as at our host sites (and in the Greater Pittsburgh area in general). Quite honestly, I don't even know where to begin! I guess I will just give you a brief overview of all of the more time sensitive and/or important issues at hand as of now...and I'll get in to greater detail in later posts.

Ok, first things first. KEYS is currently recruiting for summer and fall positions (full time and part time). Eventually we will be offering the application online, but as of now, our website is experiencing some technical difficulties. But fear not! If you are interested in applying or receiving more info about our program, please email our assistant director, Aaron Gray at: aaron.gray@alleghenycounty.us or pay us a visit at 1 Smithfield Street Pittsburgh, Pa 15222. You may even run in to us at an upcoming career fair (we will be posting those soon)! Check out our website to find out what it means to serve with KEYS and all of the perks that come along with serving with us! You can also find us at www.myspace.com/americorps_keys and search for us on facebook!

Next up is AmeriCorps Week! This second annual week of celebration and service will be taking place May 11-18, 2008. I'm not gonna lie...this is gonna be pretty sweet! According to the national AmeriCorps website, AmeriCorps week is "an annual event designed to bring more Americans into service, salute AmeriCorps members and alums and thank community partners." Last summer was the first annual celebration and it's only going to get better this year! We cannot release any details just yet as to what we have in store, but I will tell you that it's going to be awesome. And may I add that you do not have to be an AmeriCorps member to participate. In fact, our goal is to recruit as many community volunteers and sponsors as possible to take part in this celebration and day of service. We will be posting all of the details and opportunities for AmeriCorps Week in the coming weeks so keep your eyes peeled!

This summer, KEYS will also be celebrating the graduation of another great group of AmeriCorps KEYS members! This graduation celebration is set for Friday, June 13, 2008. And this summer we will be honoring them in style! This graduation celebration is set to be one of the best in KEYS history! Not only will we be honoring their term(s) of service with AmeriCorps KEYS, we will be introducing them as AmeriCorps Alumni - and that's something to be proud of. Again, it's a bit too early to release the details so keep your eyes peeled!

That's it for introductions for now. I don't want to overwhelm you. The truth is, KEYS Service Corps has a a lot going on and a lot to say. We will be posting blogs daily (if not multiple times per day) to inform you of what we're up to, what our host sites are up to, what's going down in the community, and what opportunities exist in the community, and much, much more!