Florida Blue awarded WJCT Public Media a $1 million grant to support local news reporting in Northeast Florida and for its work in early childhood education and family engagement.
“WJCT Public Media is a vital community partner, helping to inform about critical issues, educate our children and activate Northeast Florida’s culture through community efforts,” Pat Geraghty, president and CEO of Florida Blue, said in a May 8 news release.
WJCT’s Local Journalism Initiative emphasizes expanding local reporting capabilities and online publication under the Jacksonville Today brand.
“We’re grateful to Florida Blue for providing this support, which will allow us to continue the work of expanding the services we offer our region in local journalism and early childhood education,” WJCT Public Media President and CEO David McGowan said in the release.
In 2023, WJCT Public Media began offering a year-long series of workshops for young families in partnership with the Kids Hope Alliance at six early learning centers to help families ensure their children succeed in school.
The workshops complement the annual Be My Neighbor Day event for families, the TEACH conference and other WJCT programs for young learners, their families and educators, the release said.