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>> My name's Jessica Ruffin.

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I am the local site director for AmeriCorps
program, Public Allies Pittsburgh.

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Public Allies is a national initiative
that is here in Pittsburgh in partnership

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with Public Allies National and Core of
Pittsburgh which is a local operating partner.

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We're a 10 month apprenticeship
for young leaders who would

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like to get involved in a nonprofit sector.

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And so, they have a full time
placement with a nonprofit organization

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where they're engaged in
capacity building projects.

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We're also working on team service projects
in some of Pittsburgh's neighborhoods as well

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as receiving ongoing professional development
and just workforce development training.

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And so, as site director, my job is to make
sure that our site is in compliance according

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to our national office standards as
well as the standards that are laid

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out by the Corporation for
National Community Service.

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So, everything from making sure
that the allies are not engaged

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in what the corporation has identified as
prohibited activities, for AmeriCorps members,

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but then, just also making sure that the
partner organizations that the allies are placed

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with are happy with the allies' work and that
the allies are able to just achieve the outcomes

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that they have set forth for them
for the whole 10 month cycle.

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I'm also responsible for just really building
the brand and the image of public allies.

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There are a ton of AmeriCorps
programs in the city.

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And so, my job is to make sure that
I'm bringing light to public allies,

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that we are able to recruit
quality candidates each year,

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recruit quality partners each
year to service placement.

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And, there's a lot that is involved in that.

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So, for the most part, those two things
are really kind of how I fill my day.

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So, I definitely don't work a 40 hour week.

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I'm usually in my office from about 7:30

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in the morning till probably
about 4, 4:30 in the afternoon.

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I have a 10 year old son.

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And so, I usually try to make sure I'm
home and, you know, have the flexibility

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to make sure I can help him with his
homework and just balancing home life.

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But, I spend, because we have such a
strong focus on leadership development,

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I usually spend a lot of time in the
evening just getting up to speed on my craft

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and really reading, having conversations with
people, just making sure that I'm up to speed

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on anything related to developing
the development of leaders.