September 25, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga.---The next generation of adults is the target of a major new program in Augusta called Connect with Kids. You'll be hearing lots more about this in the coming days and months on News 12.

Connect with Kids offers help for parents and children and a way for them to start talking to each other. The organization produces videos and articles relating to parenting, school, gang, and other issues.

Today a Connect with Kids Kids Empowerment Summit was held at the Boathouse at the Marina. Lots of kids, parents, teachers, and community leaders were invited to preview a half-hour documentary on dropout prevention. Richmond County students and teachers were also featured at the event.

Stacey DeWitt, founder and president of Connect with Kids, was on hand to introduce Augusta to the program. "I've worked as a reporter and an anchor for many many years, and about ten years ago my husband and I founded this company," she told News 12. "The reason we founded it was because we really believe that it's about local communities. And when media, when television stations like this one, work with local school systems to get the message out, and to get parents involved, and to get kids engaged and enthusiastic, we all have a better chance for the future generation to lead our communities."

"We use a peer-to-peer model," Ms. DeWitt said of the Connect with Kids programming. "We actually use real programming, real kids talking about real issues, we profile real families; as you saw today, a lot of times we'll come into the community itself and show what's happening in Richmond County. And it's fascinating because that really does engage people. They really begin to see what's working in their community."

The Connect with Kids dropout prevention documentary will air on News 12 on October 1 at 5:30 and on My12 on October 5 at 6 o'clock. Connect with Kids segments have already begun running on News 12 This Morning. You can get more Connect with Kids content, resources, and information by going to wrdw.com's Connect with Kids page.