WFCR's Focus: Western New England Looks at Youth Violence

[February 1, 2011 -- Amherst, MA] WFCR will take on the issue of youth violence on the next Focus: Western New England, Thursday at 4:00 p.m. on 88.5FM WFCR. Host Jill Kaufman says "We decided to cover the topic after Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick announced youth violence prevention would be one of his top priorities over the next four years." Kaufman will be joined by Molly Baldwin, Executive Director of "Roca" a model program for at risk youth; an official from the Massachusetts' Department of Health and Humans Services which oversees the state's comprehensive approach to youth violence prevention, Terrance Mack, a high school senior in Springfield and president of the Springfield Youth Network, and others.

The conversation will focus on the roots of teen violence and some effective ways of getting teens to stay in school and out of gangs. They'll also talk about programs that are teaching teens the life skills they'll need move into adulthood and economic independence.

Listeners are invited to call in (877-522-8850) starting at 4:00 p.m. Focus: Western New England can be heard again at 6:00 pm on 640AM and 91.7FM, WNNZ.

Focus: Western New England features newsmakers and notable thinkers from around the region, and listeners' comments help shape the timely conversations. To listen to past programs, visit www.nepr.net/programs/focus.php