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90.5 WESA Celebrates People Making A Difference

Western Pennsylvania has a strong tradition of neighborhood, personal and community commitment. Our pride in pulling together goes far beyond supporting our deep-rooted sports teams. 90.5 WESA Celebrates People Making a Difference honors the individuals that are making a difference in people's lives on the ground level and reminding us we are all truly a part of each other's lives.This special series, supported by UPMC, will highlight, honor and celebrate Western Pennsylvanians who are unsung heroes daring to make a difference to others in our community.00000176-e6f7-dce8-adff-f6f770c8000000000176-e6f7-dce8-adff-f6f770ca000000000176-e6f7-dce8-adff-f6f770cc000090.5 WESA PA listening area counties:Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, Westmoreland, Butler, Armstrong, Cambria, Somerset, Bedford, Fayette, Indiana00000176-e6f7-dce8-adff-f6f770cd0000This project is made possible by a generous contribution from UPMC.

In Helping Refugees, Pitt Students ‘Keep It Real’

90.5 WESA | By 90.5 WESA

Published May 9, 2014 at 3:30 AM EDT

Read and listen to a story about the "Keep It Real" program as part of a series honoring the individuals who make a difference in people’s lives: 90.5 WESA Celebrates People Making a Difference.

With all the pressures that students have in college these days — hard course loads, maintaining good grades and even finding time for fun, you would think they would have little time for anything else.

But many of the students at the University of Pittsburgh’s “Keep It Real” program manage to make time volunteering to help Somali Bantu refugees.

“Keep It Real” students tutor and mentor Somali Bantu refugees throughout the Pittsburgh area, not only helping the kids through school with their homework and life decisions, but also helping the parents with bills, and helping the families to assimilate into American culture.