KZSM 104.1/KZSM. org celebrates our diverse, creative community with all kinds of music, commentary, and entertainment. But it is also our responsibility to care for that community. For example, we maintain the EAS (Emergency Alert System) and broadcast crucial information in the event of emergencies. Now, thanks to the generosity of the St. David’s Foundation, we can extend that care to the health and well-being of the community we serve.
KZSM is one of 21 organizations awarded grants through the Foundation’s “Strengthening Local Media to Advance Community Health” initiative, created to deepen local coverage of health and social issues in Central Texas. Regan Gruber Moffit, VP of Community Investments at St. David’s Foundation, describes the grant recipients on the Foundation’s website: “The dynamic media outlets that are receiving grants as part of this funding opportunity are not just reporting on communities, they are elevating the voices and lived experiences of Central Texans most impacted by health inequities. Their work ensures that the stories, challenges, and strengths of these communities are seen, heard, and valued.”
KZSM gives voice to underserved communities through shows such as “Raices” (Roots), “Veterans Hour,” and “Indigenous Voices.” We continually seek new programming from underserved populations. In addition, our public-affairs programs such as “Open Door” and “We the People” regularly highlight Red Cross Community Adaptation Program (CAP) nonprofit partners focused on providing health, housing, and hunger resources during steady state and times of disaster.
We’re profoundly gratified to have this opportunity to expand our care for the community into the realm of health and wellness. We’ll soon launch a new weekly one-hour program dedicated to local health issues, community clinics, mental health resources, and social factors affecting well-being. Tentatively scheduled for Tuesdays at noon, the show will feature bilingual (English/Spanish) live or call-in interviews-accessible conversations about physical and mental health including trauma, behavioral-health supports, and culturally relevant care. We’ll talk with nonprofit partners, community clinics, health departments, and local experts, but anyone with ideas or information about how people in our community can take control of their own health might be a guest. If you have something to share, contact us at [email protected].
In addition, we will collaborate with youth at El Centro Cultural Hispano to produce weekly 15-minute youth-led segments on health and mental health from a minority youth perspective.
Stay tuned for music, talk, and ways to take control of your own health!
