WTVI’s
president and CEO, Elsie Garner, was so impressed
with research commissioned by the United Way of Central Carolinas (UWCC), that she has aligned
WTVI’s already extensive community outreach program with the UWCC’s Community
Needs Assessment 2011. She has committed to maximize
WTVI’s strengths in public awareness and coalition-building to support UWCC’s
community priorities with a minimum of 3,300 broadcast hours, 40 workshop
events, 1,200 public service announcements and 12 new partnerships.
"We're excited that WTVI is
designing programming that addresses the needs found in our recent five-county
Community Needs Assessment," says Jane McIntyre, executive director of
United Way of Central Carolinas. "The Needs Assessment, which was
developed in partnership with the Urban Institute at UNC Charlotte, clearly
outlines some of the highest priorities in our region including education,
housing and poverty, and health and mental health. WTVI is creating programming
and public service announcements to increase awareness and offer information
and resources in these areas. WTVI is a tremendous resource for our community.”
In June, 2010, UWCC commissioned the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute
(the Institute) to conduct a comprehensive community needs assessment for its
five-county service area. The primary purpose of the study was to pinpoint the
community’s greatest needs and identify gaps in the current array of human
services.
Based on an analysis
of data and feedback from numerous local service organizations and experts from
the community, the Institute identified the most significant needs and service
gaps in the UWCC region. From these findings, it developed a set of
recommendations on actions UWCC could take to tackle these issues.
“The research team at UNC Charlotte’s
Urban Institute is excited and pleased to hear that WTVI has adopted the
recently completed United Way Needs Assessment for its outreach projects this
year,” says Bill McCoy, of the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute Research Team. “The
needs identified in the report are universal and chronic. Progress in meeting these needs can only
occur if the community comes together and responds to help lessen the needs of
these less fortunate. WTVI is to be applauded for accepting the role of
community leader in bringing people together to address these needs.”
The most significant needs identified
in the region can be grouped into three broad categories – Education, Housing
and Poverty, Health and Mental Health. After reviewing the research, Garner
asked Jeanine Budreau of the United Way to attend WTVI’s board retreat on
September 22, 2011, and present the community needs. WTVI board member Patty
Perkins also moderated a panel of community leaders to discuss the kind of
community they wanted to live in.
Supported by grant funding and
donations from viewers, WTVI has always provided speakers, activities, and
curriculums to support teachers in the classroom; partnered with local businesses to
meet community needs; hosted
community sneak preview events for popular programs; and supported professional development of
adult learners. WTVI has been recognized as one of the top five
Ready to Learn (RTL) stations by the U.S. Department of Education, providing a
unique educational safe haven for kids on TV and online.
The first program that fits into the
new plan is American Graduate: Let’s Make
it Happen: A Carolina Business Review Special that aired November 6, 2011,
and will air again on December 23. Special guests including Governor Beverly Purdue and
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police chief Rodney Monroe taped the program on October
11 at WTVI. Panelists look at the graduation rate in Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Schools, new initiatives and the impact on the local community.
“WTVI is delighted to continue our
community service mission by aligning our outreach with research from UNCC to
make sure the most important community issues are addressed first,” says
Garner. “I look forward to seeing the difference we can make on education,
housing and poverty, and health.”
