In the days after an earthquake shook through Haiti on Jan. 12, Pittsburghers sprang into action to help their neighbors, 90 minutes off the coast of Florida. Several of these relief groups had already been working over the years to help the impoverished of Haiti while others created organizations almost overnight.

LENDING A HAND—From left: R.J. Hines of Brother’s Brother Foundation helps Rochelle Oaks sign up to volunteer with Judy Rosemaa, another volunteer.

“It was about 3 a.m. when I woke up with a really heavy heart,” said Leon Pamphile, executive director of the Functional Literacy Ministry of Haiti. “I became so overwhelmed with the incredible loss of lives and the graphic physical and emotional suffering of the people of Haiti.”

As a Port-au-Prince native, Pamphile has been hit especially hard by this catastrophe. His organization has been working to help the people of Haiti since 1983 by building literacy centers and taking yearly trips to address the country’s medical needs.

When Columbus-based developer Keith B. Key grew up on Columbo Street in Garfield, one of his friends was   Pride Rivers. He grew up to become a Maryland State Trooper. He died last year.

But his name lives on in Garfield not only through his family, but because it is emblazoned above the entrance to the community center at the newly opened Garfield Commons mixed housing development.

Key made sure of that—he’s the developer.

NEW BEGINNING— Trisha Germany, city manager for KBK Development, stands at the entrance of the Pride Community Center at the newly opened Garfield Commons housing community.

“He was a great Christian man and did a lot of work in his community and here,” said Key. “He got to see some of it and was excited about helping out. We wanted to showcase what mattered to him, and this center exhibits that spirit. It allows us to provide a cadre of services; art, dance and computer training. It will be a place of pride, and help return pride to community.”

Last month the Pittsburgh Board of Education approved the name of the Pittsburgh Public School District’s new International Baccalaureate World School. A committee of community members, parents, staff and students chose the name Barack Obama Academy of International Studies.

“It sends a good message to students that they can have a part in the process,” said District 3 Rep. Thomas Sumpter.

BARACK OBAMA