Good Neighborhoods - Detroit youth to produce neighborhood news network

Detroit youth to produce neighborhood news network

January 14, 2010

Southeast Michigan soon will have a new source of local news written and produced by Detroit youths in an unprecedented venture to bring young voices and concerns into public debate.

KidSpeak Neighborhood News, a multi-media, youth-focused information network, will utilize a wealth of untapped talent to create citizen journalists and provide opportunities for Detroit youths to make themselves heard on neighborhood and school issues often overlooked by mainstream media, business leaders and policymakers.

Participating youths will be recruited from high schools and colleges from six neighborhoods within the The Skillman Foundation's Good Neighborhood Initiative. Support for this project comes from The Skillman Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

The project is aimed at boosting involvement in Detroit issues while filling a growing gap in local news reporting on issues affecting children and families, said Jack Kresnak, President & CEO of Michigan’s Children, the project’s lead agency.

“The voices of the citizens, especially young citizens, must be heard by the general public and policymakers at the city, county, state and federal levels to strengthen communities in the city,” Kresnak said. “Young people have a huge stake in the future of their communities and our state. Now, we will have an opportunity to hear directly from them about their lives and how they are affected everyday by the world around them. And they’ll be learning real-world skills from a very talented group of current and former journalists.”

Close to 40 percent of Detroit's population is functionally illiterate, and many Detroit parents lack a high school diploma — creating obstacles to their children's success. Also, many low-income families don't have Internet access that could bring them vital information about their communities. Engaging families by providing opportunities for their children to create high quality content for local Web sites and broadcast TV and radio will help fill the communications gap and empower residents and communities to create positive changes.

Stories will be shared with the viewing public online via partner websites as well as a main website currently under construction. Some stories will be broadcast on Detroit Public Television. Stories also will be available for use by mainstream media outlets.

Michigan’s Children was formed in 1992 by business and philanthropic leaders as a multi-issue organization operating independently of government funds as a voice for children and their families. The organization works with lawmakers, business leaders and communities to make Michigan a place where all children have the opportunity to thrive. Funding comes from foundations, corporations and individual donors.

Created in 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy whose chief aim is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children. Though grants are made throughout metropolitan Detroit, most grants are directed at six Detroit neighborhoods and toward innovative and successful schools throughout the city Detroit. For more, visit www.skillman.org .