Here goes...

Hello, all!

First things first, thanks to all those working hard behind the scenes to make this fellowship possible. It's very exciting to be the ITL's first fellow!

Earlier this month I met with both the Regional Internship Center and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy to discuss each organization's goals and what a fellowship might look like.

At the PPC I met Marijke Hecht, Director of Education, and we talked about the behind the scenes work of the PPC is mainly education and fund-raising, with an emphasis on community involvement. I mentioned my interest in creating a more bike-friendly city. I think if I were to do a project with the PPC it would involve bike commuting.

This is an exciting time for the PPC because they are in the process of evaluating and updating their Master Plan, which will guide the direction of the PPC for years to come. The city of Pittsburgh is also undergoing a similar planning and transformation period which includes and emphasis on open space and transportation. I think Marijke and I got along very well. She happily introduced me to everyone in the office at the time (some were out in the field).

Later that day I found myself on the South Side, having a much needed latte at Beehive. Next on the list was the Regional Internship Center housed on Terminal Way, an historical and beautiful building where I met Regina Anderson, Director, and Trisha Hyatt, Program Manager. There are many leadership and development programs available thanks to the RIC, Public Allies and Coro Pittsburgh (who all share an office). We discussed how the RIC works with those seeking internships to help them find the best match and how companies and non-profits seeking interns can create beneficial internship programs. Again, I was introduced to colleagues and given a full tour.


After much deliberation and seeking advice from mentors, friends and family I have decided to work with the Regional Internship Center. I feel that this fellowship is an opportunity to really step outside my "comfort zone" and I think that working with the RIC will be the most challenging for me. I am drawn to their leadership programs and the opportunity to be a part of a broad network of students and employers. Additionally, it is easier for me to get to that part of the South Side by bike or bus from home.

I am looking forward to brainstorming with folks from the RIC about the next step: creating an independent project that is exciting, helpful and doable by next November.

--Rayden

We Have Our Fellow: Ray Sorock

From five compelling candidates, ITL has selected Ray Sorock. First each application was reviewed and scored by a three person Selection Committee. Then each was interviewed and scored by the three of us. Ray is the candidate who had the highest combined score valuing both ability to achieve success with a self-selected project while also in significant need of a professional opportunity.

Ray will now be charged with designing a project in collaboration with a Pittsburgh area Non-Profit Organization and executing it across the first 10 months of 2011.

Below is Ray's bio and photo. Please check back here each week for information about the matching process with an area non-profit, Ray's progress, and ways to contribute.

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Ray grew up in Massachusetts, learning to love the outdoors, local history, and making the best of suburban life. He achieved a B.A. in Literature from Purchase College in New York in 2008. He moved to the Pittsburgh area after falling in love with the city and lived and worked on an organic farm for seven months.

Now he spends his time baking cookies at a coffee shop in Lawrenceville, reading nerdy books, and riding his bike. He is passionate about good health care access, environmentally-friendly food production, and art that doesn't look like Art.

Friends encouraged him to apply for the fellowship and he is excited to work with and learn from the ITL team to create a worthy project for a local organization.