Making The Grade: Helping Our Kids Achieve

Voices for Cleveland's Children

"Channel 3 has once again teamed up with Voices for Children of Greater Cleveland, KidsOhio.org, The Center for Families and Children, Invest in Children, Chuck and Ilana Horowitz Ratner and Forest City Enterprises to bring NE Ohio several important local community events and the third in a series of compelling local specials Making The Grade: Helping Our Kids Achieve," said WKYC President and General Manager Brooke Spectorsky. "Making The Grade airs in prime time on Channel 3 Thursday, September 14 at 8 pm and on wkyc.com as well. This local special focuses on our kids and their educational future. There are many grassroots efforts that are really working in our area and this hour will take an in-depth look at a few. Especially with recent news that Cleveland is the poorest big city in the nation, this kind of local programming is critical. As part of WKYC's commitment to this important issue, several additional forums and a special community briefing will also take place."

"Our children and their successes are vital to the growth and future of our community," added Horowitz Ratner. "It's my hope that Montel's presence, this evening of dialog on Monday night and our next special Making the Grade will empower local leaders and viewers to take action on behalf of our kids. The show looks at the success stories out there. These innovative programs are the kind we need to embrace and grow. I know the evening will be spirited, entertaining and informative."

"As with the first two local specials from Channel 3, we've seen a tremendous response in making this one," added Voices for Children of Greater Cleveland Executive Director Amy Swanson. "We've been working with several communities and will present three local forums to further discussion and spark interest in helping our kids achieve. On Friday, September 8th WKYC's Eric Mansfield will host a breakfast panel at the Akron-Summit County Main Library. On Tuesday, September 12, Eric will be back again to host Canton representatives at a luncheon at Walsh University's New Business Center and then on Thursday, September 28, Channel 3 Morning Anchor and Education Reporter Kim Wheeler will attend a luncheon discussion with participants from Parma and the West Side at Carrie Cerino's. If you'd like to attend a forum or wish to write about the outreach efforts, please contact 216.881.7780 and ask for Mike Gillis or via email mgillis@voicesforclevelandchildren.org."

Viewers can also tune in on Saturday, October 28 at 1 pm to catch the one-hour local special. Channel 3 News Anchor Romona Robinson, Education Reporter Kim Wheeler and Senior Political Correspondent Tom Beres participated in this local program.

Emmy Award winning Executive Produce, Director and Writer Dennis Goulden spearheaded Making the Grade: Helping Our Kids Achieve, which was shot by videographer Dan Bowman and edited by Greg Hickey. Jillian Bishop served as Associate Producer and contributed to the making of this program.

Immediately following Making the Grade on Thursday, September 14 from 9 to 9:30 pm, wkyc.com will host a webchat with Voices for Children's Amy Swanson, Carla Sibley with Akron Public Schools and Bill Jelen from Lake Schools.

In addition, wkyc.com will air Making the Grade live at 8 pm and make it available for streaming after the telecast. Links to area organizations and resources featured in the show will also be on wkyc.com.