© 2024 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

WKAR Connects community with Capital Region resources

In February, WKAR Public Media launchedWKAR Connects, a new multiplatform community service campaign that strives to connect the community with local resources and services on issues of domestic violence, sexual assault, and much more.
The multiplatform public service campaign includes video profiles and news features on WKAR TV, radio and online, highlighting nonprofits and organizations that provide services and resources to the capital region.

WKAR Connects
Credit WKAR-MSU
/
WKAR-MSU

"WKAR Connects was created to directly connect our community to local organizations that offer valuable resources and services to help to those in need,” said Julie Sochay, WKAR content and community engagement manager. “We have an opportunity to provide this much needed information to those in need, and to be a part of the healing process for those in our community."

End Violent Encounters (EVE), The Firecracker Foundation, Small Talk Children’s Assessment Center, Women’s Center of Greater Lansing have already been featured since the initiative launched in February 2018.

“It's an issue we can no longer be quiet about and this campaign helps break the silence and educate the individuals on what resources our community has available,” said Alex Brace, Small Talk Children's Assessment Center executive director and crisis counselor.

Small Talk Children’s Assessment Center provides services for children who are victims of physical and sexual abuse at no cost.

Artwork: The sun is always shining even on a cloudy rainy day
Credit WKAR-MSU
/
WKAR-MSU
Small Talk Children’s Assessment Center

"I'm very thankful for the WKAR connects campaign,” said Brace. “Spreading the word about what we as a community can do to support the healing of survivors of abuse is absolutely necessary.”

Starting Tuesday, March 6, 90.5 WKAR-FM will also premiere radio stories as part of WKAR Connects.

WKAR Reporter and Producer Katie Cook will take listeners inside four nonprofits dedicated to turning victims into survivors. In addition to these special interviews, WKAR Morning Edition Host Brooke Allen will talk with the Michigan State University students who created a teal Facebook frame in support of Larry Nassar’s victims. Brooke will also report on the challenges of addressing sexual abuse in LGBTQ communities.

“These reports and content will be emotional and revealing,” said Reginald Hardwick, WKAR digital news director. “But we also hope they will be empowering.”

Featured in the WKAR Radio news stories is the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing, a nonprofit organization that provides support services to women in the Lansing area.

volunteer and paper
Credit WKAR-MSU
/
WKAR-MSU
A volunteer restocks resources at the Women's Center of Greater Lansing.

"The Women's Center of Greater Lansing was honored to be asked to participate in the WKAR Connects campaign,” said Cindie Alwood, Women’s Center of Great Lansing executive director. “As the local PBS affiliate WKAR has a unique opportunity to reach people at a time and place that we do not. Being able to share our resources and services with the PBS community is a win-win."

Other organizations included in WKAR Connects are End Violent Encounters (EVE), a non-profit organization that provides supportive services to survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence, while empowering the community through education and awareness; and the Firecracker Foundation, a nonprofit that provides holistic healing services to child survivors of sexual trauma under the age of 18 and their families in the tri-county area of Mid-Michigan.

“We at WKAR hope to help our community heal and empower them with the first steps to taking control of their lives again,” said Hardwick.

The public can view the full list of local resources and services here.

Nonprofits and organizations who wish to be a part of WKAR Connects please contact WKAR Communications Coordinator Amanda Pinckney at amanda@wkar.org.

Related Content
Journalism at this station is made possible by donors who value local reporting. Donate today to keep stories like this one coming. It is thanks to your generosity that we can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. Thanks!