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State of Opportunity: Special call-in show today at 2 p.m.

State of Opportunity
/
Michigan Radio

Join us this afternoon at 2 p.m. for a special call-in show. We'll examine the disparities that exist in our society, and how they make it more difficult for children to break out of the cycle of poverty.

Michigan Radio reporters are working on a new three-year initiative to explore the issue of children living in poverty here Michigan. State of Opportunity captures the stories of children and families struggling to make ends meet. We’re going beyond the statistics and exploring what it takes to make Michigan a place where our every kid have a chance to build a positive future.

“Our project kind of has two ways at looking at these issues. We look at statistics, we look at data, and we look at trends. But then when we talk to the individuals, the individual stories don’t always match up with those trends,” reporter Dustin Dwyer said.

Reporter Jennifer Guerra is currently working on a documentary about the infant mortality rate in the state. She says the information she found was staggering. “Infant mortality is still a big problem in Michigan. We’re above the national average for the past twenty years,” she said.

“And so that led me down the path to doing this documentary to figure out what we know, what we don’t know, what’s working and if it can ever really truly be solved,” said Guerra.

We'll also be joined by a panel of experts, including Paul Tough, author of the new book How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character.

Anne Schroth, Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Law School's Pediatric Advocacy Initiative at the University of Michigan

Marijata Daniel-Echols, Vice President of Early Childhood Policy and Programs at Starfish Family Services.

Alford Young, Jr., Arthur F. Thurnau Professor in Sociology and Afro-American and African Studies at the University of Michigan.

Mercedes Mejia is a producer and director of Stateside.
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