WFUV Launches 'Strike a Chord' Campaign for At-Risk Youth

New York, NY - The value of positive role models in the lives of young people, especially those at risk, can't be overestimated. This winter the award-winning Strike a Chord campaign of New York public radio station WFUV (90.7 FM/wfuv.org) is focusing on mentoring programs in the tri-state region.

More than two dozen public service announcements spotlighting both at-risk youth and their mentors are running through March 18. A five-part news series will air from February 29 to March 4 in the 7:50 am and 3:50 pm newscasts. WFUV reporters Frank Chapparo and Joe Sykes will focus on a variety of mentoring programs, including one involving former gang members who say they have left their pasts behind and are stepping up to protect young people from following in their footsteps.

In addition, a special panel discussion produced by WFUV in conjunction with BronxNet Television will air on Sunday, March 6 at 6:30 am. Moderated by WFUV News and Public Affairs Director George Bodarky, the panel includes the following guests:

- Liza Austria, co-founder of UpBeat NYC. The organization uses the pursuit of musical excellence and ensemble performance to bring about positive change in the lives of kids in the South Bronx.

- Jim SaintGermain, co-founder of PLOT, which stands for Preparing Leaders of Tomorrow. The mentoring program is based in Brooklyn.

- Manuel Piedra and Jeffrey Ampratwum from the Boy Scouts of America. Jeffery is the Bronx BSA Staffer and Manuel is a Star Scout from the Bronx who runs after-school programs.

"It might sound cliché, but children are truly are our future. Kids at risk of going down a negative path need positive role models to succeed in life," said Bodarky. "It was inspiring to hear so many stories of children who have benefited from having a mentor, as well as how much the mentors themselves got out of their involvement."
The news reports and panel discussion will be archived at wfuvnews.org, and the list of organizations included in the campaign can be found at wfuv.org/strikeachord.

WFUV (90.7 FM, wfuv.org), New York's source for music discovery, is a noncommercial, member-supported public media service of Fordham University for more than 65 years. WFUV has received national recognition for its award-winning weekday format of adult album alternative music, award-winning local news and sports, and a diverse weekend lineup. WFUV's robust website has extensive audio archives, videos, song playlists, an events calendar, blog and other resources.