Published Thursday, May 2nd, 2024
KWSC-FM students raised $1,705 for Haven House to help survivors of domestic violence.
A 24-hour live stream broadcast by students from Wayne State College’s KWSC-FM radio station raised awareness for domestic violence survivors while also raising $1,705 for Haven House in Wayne.
KWSC-FM students raised awareness for domestic violence survivors via the “KWSC 24-Hour Stream” on Twitch. Last year’s stream raised $1,250 for Haven House.
Dr. Sean X. Ahern, assistant professor of communication arts at Wayne State and advisor for KWSC-FM, commended his students for taking the initiative to help bring attention to domestic violence survivors.
“I’m extremely proud of these students for working together to bring awareness to this great cause,” said Ahern. “This was an outstanding, collaborative effort by everyone involved. They continue to amaze and humble me with their commitment to community outreach. Haven House is a vital resource for survivors of domestic abuse in Northeast Nebraska, and we continue to exceed donations each year.”
It was also a collective service-learning project for the KWSC-FM students – a project that KWSC-FM students have participated in since 2006.
“It’s been a great opportunity for new students to get involved with the community and be excited about raising money for a great cause,” said Jasmine Snyder. Snyder, a junior from Fairbury, serves as coordinator for KWSC-FM’s social media outlets.
Each semester, hundreds of Wayne State students make a difference in the community by participating in service-learning projects, contributing nearly $250,000 each year to the region in community service.
“We’re very grateful to these Wayne State broadcasting students for the impact they’ve had on Haven House,” said Debbie Goettsch, executive director of Haven House. “Haven House will use the donations for only client related items. This could include birth certificates, ID’s, food, application fees, employment items, gas, medication/prescriptions, school supplies, and many more expenses our clients face after fleeing violence. We are so grateful for support in our community because it takes our community to help our clients.”
The Haven House Family Service Center was founded in 1978. The agency was the outcome of a seminar conducted jointly by the American Association of University Women and Wayne State College staff, which determined a need for services for victims of domestic violence and their children.
In 1979, Haven House was incorporated as a non-profit agency. Haven House’s main office is in Wayne, with branch offices in Hartington, Pender, and South Sioux City.
Wayne State’s electronic media workshops and modern broadcast facilities give students an abundant, firsthand experience in a wide range of multimedia content throughout their college careers. Wayne State’s student-run media provide alternatives to community media. These long-standing, pioneering student media emphasize practical application through immediate and hands-on experience.
KWSC-FM is a fully equipped broadcast radio station, operating 24 hours a day during the school year. KWSC-FM is one of the oldest campus radio stations in Nebraska, serving the Wayne community since 1971.
Earlier this year, KWSC-FM received a $1,500 Grant Award from the College Radio Foundation for equipment and system updates. The College Radio Grant Program provides deserving college radio stations in need of financial assistance with financial grants. These grants can be used by stations to maintain their functionality as college radio stations through equipment purchases and repairs, covering the cost of licensing, or through continuing education at college radio related conferences. A grant can also be used to help a station with their own promotional events and activities.
For more information about Wayne State’s Department of Communication Arts and the broadcasting program, visit WSC Communication Arts and WSC Sports Media.