KEYS Service Corps members dedicate their energy to creating a brighter future for youth throughout Allegheny County.
As a KEYS AmeriCorps member, you will work directly with school-age children to help them reach their academic potential. You will help shape their futures through structured school and afterschool programs. You will guide them as they learn the value of community service.
Our members work hand-in-hand with teachers and after-school personnel to help the youth they serve complete their homework and classwork.
Service Activities
- Provide structured activities (mentor) at least 20 youth for at least 24 hours across the program year
- Provide academic assistance to at least 20 youth for at least 24 hours across the program year;
- Create at least one service project involving at least 5 youth
Community Need Addressed
KEYS partners with sites in distressed areas, areas of poverty, and/or areas with greater percentages of youth scoring below basic achievement levels in reading and math. KEYS addresses the needs of:
- Below basic math or reading proficiency;
- Need for youth to resolve conflicts nonviolently and be active participants in one’s community;
- Need for structured group activities after-school and in the summer;
- Need for positive change in distressed communities.
The unmet needs that members address are: individual / small group tutoring and mentoring, and leading youth in designing and implementing service projects to help address needs in the youths’ own communities.
Position Outcomes
Members will:
-provide academic assistance in small group or one-on-one settings, resulting in youth increasing the completion rates of their classwork and/or homework;
-provide school year mentoring in small group or one-on-one settings, resulting in youth showing gains in at least 2 of the following life skills: dealing constructively with conflict, improving self-esteem, goal setting, team building, leadership, healthy practices, fitness, and/or work-readiness skills;
-provide summer programming that focuses on mentoring in small group or one-on-one settings, resulting in youth showing growth in at least one life skill;
-empower youth through their engagement in developing and implementing service projects to address youth-identified community needs.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
First Aid and CPR
Mental Health First Aid
Mandated Reporter Training
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment