Chicago, IL, October 7, 2009 – Dime Child Foundation youth radio program WDCR The Beat will begin broadcasting its weekly radio show the week of Monday October 5th, 2009. The youth radio program will broadcast live from Dime Child Foundation headquarters in the heart of Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. WDCR delivers a combination of popular music and talk radio. The weekly talk show airs Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Music streams 24/7; WDCR radio will be available through itunes via www.dimechild.org keyword: WDCR.

WDCR The Beat is the only Internet radio that is produced and operated by the youth. Program participants serve as the hosts for the talk radio segments. Students (ages 14-18) are responsible for research, interviews, air checks and promotional radio remotes in the community. The program consists of students learning the fundamentals of radio broadcast through five major components: production, engineering, on-air personality, music director and program director. Additionally the new program focuses on services in six core areas, each integrated with the radio, broadcast, and entrepreneurship focus: academics, life skills, parent involvement, recreation, sports, culture and the arts, adult mentors, and service learning.

“The extension of WDCR Dime Child Radio will create 150 new after school enrichment opportunities for youth ages 14-18. This is critical when you consider the negative influences students are faced with daily during the hours of 3:00-6:00p.m.” stated Warnita Taylor, CEO of Dime Child Foundation.

Dime Child Foundation is a community based non-profit organization empowering the south side communities of Chicago by providing innovative educational resources and programming for underserved youth to enable students to seek their highest potential. For more information, please visit www.dimechild.org.