Kelly Ware, chair of the PIIN Youth Task Force, joined by Mark Rauterkus and David Dunn, present at the second PIIN public event.

We were part of the PIIN (Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network) YOUTH Task Force. We had meetings for more than six months.

Our research into the Citiparks Rec Centers showed many interesting insights. We visited with school leaders, educators, church ministers, rec directors, business people and youth center staffs. We visited with kids as well. We hosted meetings in small groups and did a half-day gathering with nearly 100 kids on the North Side.

Our goal was to make a systemic change for the good of the kids. We were looking for a program that went far beyond the typical sports league.

We found it too. The demand was to all us, the faith based groups, to put in 8 computer labs with four computers each in 8 different rec centers. The hardware, wiring, service and net connections were all provided. We had dozens of helpers as well.

The Mayor said no. The 'boos' from the crowd to the Deputy Mayor were like I've never seen.