Planned Parenthood, KUSP-FM and KION-TV will present the second
in a series of public radio programs by, for, and about teens on
the central coast on March 23.
Planned Parenthood, KUSP-FM and KION-TV will present the second in a series of public radio programs by, for, and about teens on the central coast on March 23. The one-hour show, called “Youthtopia”, will air on KUSP-FM the last Sunday of each month at 7 p.m. Sunday’s show will focus on safe sex, STD’s and AIDS in the teen population.
Guests will be Meghan Curley of Planned Parenthood, and Aaron Martin of the Equinox AIDS project. Teen reporters contribute stories about installing condom vending machines in Watsonville businesses and why so few teens tell their partners their health status.
Kyle Van West of Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School, and Max Goldenkranz of Aptos High will host the program, take phone calls and answer questions on the air. Last month’s show on sex and birth control showed these hosts weren’t afraid to discuss controversial topics in a frank manner and have fun. February’s show featured a True or False quiz that had the audience scrambling to test their sex ed. skills against those of the hosts and health educators.
Van West says she got involved with the show because of its mission, but found out it was fun as well.
“These are some of the most difficult subjects that we have to deal with,” she said, “but are issues that we cannot ignore. And by taking them into our own hands and discussing them ourselves, we are empowered. That’s why I started doing Youthtopia.
Series Producer, Rachel Anne Goodman, says she hopes the show will gain a following among the under 18 set who want information, but are afraid to talk to their parents. “Teens on the central coast have so many issues they’re dealing with, from homework stress to unwanted pregnancy. We want to give them a place to go where their voices will be respected and heard.“
KUSP-FM, KION-TV, and Planned Parenthood Mar Monte were awarded a grant of $52,000 to launch a comprehensive, community-based campaign around teen health in the central coast region.
