The “Fresh Radio Kids Club”

Youth Development United has partnered with Lifewerks to revive a treasured communications channel for kids, by kids.

The “Fresh Radio Kids Club” will be housed at Chester Upland School District’s Stetser Elementary School for ten weeks this winter and will engage approximately 25 fourth and fifth graders. As in a similar pre-pandemic program, Pastor Chuck Kieffer will lead the kids in creating written materials and podcasts that allow them to explore topics of personal interest while learning and practicing marketable professional communications industry skills.

“We will once again produce programming for a radio station that will serve and give voice to the community. Among other things, we hope this will improve self-awareness and self esteem for the participating children,” explained Pastor Chuck.

He has nicknamed the club’s first project “Muddy Sneakers,” in honor of many troops of volunteers who have jumped in to help communities, unafraid of working hard and getting dirty in the process. For this project, kids will interview big-hearted, motivated people around the country, including celebrities. For example, Pastor Chuck hopes to connect them with Jon Bon Jovi, who personally cooks meals for people in need.

“This will give Chester children the opportunity to interview and learn from someone who is doing good and employing the creative process to solve problems in the world,” said Pastor Chuck, who hopes to expand the program to additional schools this spring.

Students from Swarthmore College and Widener University are volunteering with the program, and Youth Development United staff will also help out.

Funding for the “Fresh Radio Kids Club” portable podcasting equipment, written materials and other expenses comes from the Impact Grant awarded to Youth Development United by The Foundation for Delaware County.