January marked a meaningful start to the new year for Keystone SMILES as we welcomed new AmeriCorps members and honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through service. Across multiple counties, members and staff came together to support local communities, strengthen partnerships, and demonstrate that service remains at the heart of our mission. From hands-on building projects to food assistance and youth engagement, this month showcased the power of collective action and the impact of service-driven leadership.
In This Issue:
WELCOMING NEW AMERICORPS MEMBERS
Clarion, Mercer and Venango Counties
With the start of a new year, Keystone SMILES is proud to welcome new AmeriCorps members to our team:
Aliyah Lanning and Josiah Connor will be serving in Oil City at the after-school youth Weed & Seed Program
Natalya Lowe will be serving in Farrell at Zion Education Center
Kathleen Zelina will be serving at Iroquois Elementary School in Erie
Lauren Hartzell will be serving at North Clarion Elementary School
We are excited to have these members join our programs and look forward to the positive impact they will make in their communities.
HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY SERVICE
Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Jefferson, Mercer, McKean, and Venango Counties
Pictured: Evann Jenkins and Emma Raschiatore
Service was the central focus for AmeriCorps members in January. On January 19, despite frigid temperatures and fresh snowfall, members and staff across Erie, Crawford, Jefferson, Mercer, Clarion, McKean, and Venango Counties came together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through meaningful service projects. Together, 64 individuals contributed 355 hours across 7 counties and 11 projects to make this a day “on” and not a day off.
Clarion County
Participants in our three signature projects of the day were invited to attend a community breakfast at the Haskell House in Clarion, featuring guest speaker Associate Pastor Michael Will of Grace EC Church and Chaplain, U.S. Army (Retired). This gathering provided time for reflection on Dr. King’s life, message, and commitment to service. Following breakfast, volunteers participated in one of three service projects throughout Clarion County.
Pictured: Associate Pastor Michael Will of Grace EC Church and Chaplain, U.S. Army (Retired)
Signature Projects - Clarion County
Keystone SMILES partnered with the Clarion County Housing and Community Development Corporation Nonprofit project to create a community room and space for service organizations. Located on Second Street, the room will become a gathering space for community events. Volunteers—including Housing Authority staff, youth, AmeriCorps members, and Keystone SMILES staff—came together to hang drywall and paint murals for the front windows.
“Together, we worked on building and refurbishing the community center, taking on projects like drywall, mudding, and painting murals. Guided by the belief that anybody can serve, the day highlighted leadership, teamwork, gratitude, and unity. ”
— Amanda Wardell, House of Trades
Pictured: Owen Campbell, Trish McIlwain, Penny Campbell, Jack Campbell, Kelly Simpson
Pictured: Frankie Leadbetter
Pictured: Micaela Watterson, Joe Wiedenboerner
Pictured: April Lee, Easton Ploof, Sonya Weaver
Another group of SMILES staff and AmeriCorps members began building a wheelchair ramp for a local family in Knox, helping improve accessibility and safety.
A third group assembled a wagon of craft supplies to donate to Adventure Awaits Daycare in Knox. Despite cold and snowy conditions, AmeriCorps members remained committed to supporting local families and honoring the spirit of the Day of Service.
Pictured: Greta Lang, Colbin Elliot, Aidan Fox, and Carter McGarvey
Pictured Bill Evans Greta Lang Lindy Boocks Jen Welton Colbin Elliot Aidan Fox Carter McGarvey
Pictured: Greta Lang, Aidan Fox, Lindy Boocks
Pictured: Evann Jenkins and Emma Raschiatore
Pictured: Mary McDonough
Crawford County
Crawford County At the FCCA in Meadville, AmeriCorps members assisted with rearranging furniture, setting up for a volunteer fair, and organizing toys for children in the community.
“My favorite part was seeing all the volunteers come together with smiles on their faces. This is one of my favorite events to participate in—it truly brings Dr. King’s powerful message to life. ”
— Venus Comerico
Pictured: Venus Comerico and Gionna Hoffman
Erie County
AmeriCorps members in Erie County participated in a wide range of service projects supporting food security, youth engagement, and community spaces.
“Despite the bitter cold and snow, we enjoyed the camaraderie while preparing soups, salads, and desserts for a public lunch meal.
— Traci Adiska
Pictured: Sharon Bisbee, Brian Hulley, and Traci Adiska
Pictured: Traci Adiska and Sharon Bisbee
“During my MLK Jr. Day of Service, I volunteered at the Experience Children’s Museum. I assisted staff on the museum floor by supervising children, helping maintain a safe and clean environment, and cleaning up activity areas. This service experience allowed me to support youth engagement while contributing to a positive and organized community space. ”
— Adisson Fitzpatrick-Girard Youth
Pictured: Adisson Fitzpatrick
“I volunteered at a Second Harvest Food Bank where I helped sort and organize donated items. My responsibility was to check the expiration dates to make sure all food was safe to distribute. After checking each item, I would then give them to people to pack them in boxes to be sent out to families.”
— Alexandra Haring-Fairview Youth
Pictured: Alexandra Haring & Jillian Dennis
“During my service project a group of classmates from our hose site went to serve at Asbury woods. We were tasked with moving furniture and boxes from an abandoned house that is being demolished. We were able to get a lot of good work done and had fun doing it!”
— Cora Hirz-Fairview Youth
Pictured: Daniel Lindenberger, Jackson Chiocco, Sam Sobin, RJ Brimm, Cora Hirsz, Ella Grimm, Abigail Benz, Sarah Adams, Casey Bolla
“Elk Valley Elementary School Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps members served MLK Day by painting wooden murals that will adorn the hallways of the school. The murals will protect newly painted hallways that were completed by members the previous year as well as add color and character to the building. Additionally, members organized and delivered class sets of novels for the One School One Book initiative.”
— Brianne Misoff-Girard
Pictured: Brianne Misoff, Allen Clark, Brooke Proper
Mercer County MLK Day of Service project at Stey Nevant Library. Farrell, PA
Pictured: Mila Hiles, Roland Barksdale-Hall, Lonnie Whitehead,
Avery Ellis, Nicole Potase, Eram Siddiqui
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Looking Ahead With Purpose
January reminded us that service is more than an activity— it is a commitment to community, compassion, and collective action. As AmeriCorps members and Keystone SMILES staff came together with community volunteers across counties to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., their efforts reflected the belief that meaningful change begins with showing up and serving others. As we move forward into the new year, we are grateful for the dedication of our AmeriCorps members, partners, and volunteers who continue to strengthen communities and inspire those around them. Together, we look ahead with renewed purpose, ready to build on this momentum and create lasting impact in the months to come.
Next Events:
March 8th-14th 2026: AmeriCorps Awareness Week • Celebrating AmeriCorps’ Mission and Bringing Awareness to our Impact in Communities
May: Clarion and Venango County Agricultural Safety Days • This event has dozens of learning and practical application stations, where children can learn about local schools.
June-August: New Summer AmeriCorps Members & Programs