Television Program Airing Wednesday Features Riverside Efforts to Assist Youth
Published: 04/08/2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 8, 2019
Contact:
Phil Pitchford
Public Information Officer
951-826-5975
Television Program Airing Wednesday Features Riverside Efforts to Assist Youth
“Our Kids: Narrowing the Opportunity Gap” to premier at 6 p.m. on KVCR
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A public television program that highlights efforts around the U.S. to help young people, including a youth judo program in Riverside that is renowned for its work with low-income and developmentally disabled students, will begin airing on local station KVCR at 6 p.m. Wednesday (4/10).
“Our Kids: Narrowing the Opportunity Gap” is a four-part series that will air on consecutive
Wednesdays on April 10, 17, 24 and May 1. The Riverside Youth Judo Club, started by Riverside Police Detective Brian Money, is featured in the first episode, on April 10. Other local efforts that are featured include Kids In Konflict, Project Moving Forward, and Come Back Kids.
“Riverside takes seriously the challenges faced by young people in our community,” Mayor Rusty Bailey said. “The Riverside Youth Judo Club and Detective Money are inspirations for others, and I am pleased to see their success, and that of other local organizations, recognized on a national stage.”
The show, as the title suggests, explores efforts by government, education, non-profit organizations and others to ensure that all young people have opportunities to succeed in life. It emanates from the work of Harvard Professor of Public Policy, Dr. Robert Putnam, whose book, “Our Kids,” was the basis for the series.
Putnam argues that an opportunity gap among children of disparate backgrounds has widened during the past 40 years. Without changes, Putnam argues, the U.S. is in danger of becoming a nation of “haves” and “have nots.” The television series explores ways that community are trying to reduces such disparities.
“Riverside cares about its young people,” Mayor Pro Tem Mike Soubirous said. “It’s encouraging to see these successful local programs get the attention they deserve.” Information about the series can be found at: http://www.ourkidsseries.org/
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