WTCI, First Tennessee Bank and the city of Chattanooga Youth and Family Development Administration will host a ribbon-cutting event for a PBS KIDS Learning Lounge at the Family Justice Center at 5705 Uptain Road on Thursday at 10 a.m.
Refreshments will follow remarks and members of the community are invited to attend the event and learn about all of the ways that area families can benefit from the free PBS KIDS programming, resources and online apps that the community PBS station provides.
The PBS KIDS Learning Lounge Initiative is designed to place a vibrant, colorful seating and TV area in a waiting room, lobby or Head Start center, inviting children and their parents or caregivers to explore the free PBS KIDS resources that are available on-air, online and on handheld devices that enrich, educate and inspire of learning for children preparing to enter school.
According to research, over 40 percent of the region’s kindergarten students do not begin the school year ready to learn. WTCI provides 40 hours of PBS KIDS programming each week, 24/7 access to PBS KIDS programming on 45.3 and hundreds of thousands of games, apps and resources available online through PBSKIDS.org and PBSLearningMedia.org.
Parents are 68 percent more likely to watch a PBS KIDS program with their children than another network and the city of Chattanooga YFD and WTCI are launching this initiative to create spaces that encourage family bonding, learning and success in school. Richard Johnson, vice president of Development at WTCI, says “engaging students in a love of learning is at the heart of our station’s mission and we are proud that First Tennessee Bank has joined us in this exciting initiative.”
“First Tennessee is proud to sponsor the WTCI Learning Lounge," said Jeff Jackson, First Tennessee Market president. "We believe that as individuals come to the Family Justice Center, they will find a place that not only promotes help in times of crisis, but also provides a resource that will be invaluable to the community. We are pleased to offer this resource to the community.
"WTCI is proud that First Tennessee Bank, under the leadership of Jeff Jackson, has chosen to support us in this effort to provide resources and educational opportunities to some of our most vulnerable families,” said Paul Grove, the station’s president and CEO.
The Family Justice Center provides free services for victims of sexual assault, human trafficking, elder abuse, and domestic and family violence, through an extensive collaboration with law enforcement, legal services, and partner social service agencies, all located at one secure, comfortable location, where victims can get all the services they need to safely escape abuse. The FJC also manages the Lethality Assessment Program for Hamilton County. For more information call 643-7600 or email fjc@chattanooga.gov.
The Department of Youth and Family Development’s top priority is providing a better quality of life for the citizen of Chattanooga, through education, recreation and social services. This PBS KIDS Learning Lounge initiative is designed to support that goal by introducing families and young students to the free resources available to all citizens through the PBS and PBS KIDS network of resources.
For more information about the PBS KIDS Learning Lounge Initiative or PBS programming, please visit wtciTV.org online or contact Jennifer Crutchfield at jcrutchfield@wtciTV.org or 702-7815.