One of our members, Cat West, has taken on even greater responsibility for The Arc. She’s now hosting our call-in TV show, “Building Bridges in the Community” on BCTV. We issued this release today announcing the news. Glad to have you on board, Cat!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cat West New Host of “Building Bridges in the Community”
West poised to referee politicians, advocates, and community members playing hardball on The Arc of Montgomery, Berks & Bucks Counties’ BCTV program
EAGLEVILLE, Pa.–Aug. 11, 2008–Cat West is the new host of “Building Bridges in the Community,” the only TV talk show in America that’s regularly covering the issues facing people with developmental disabilities and their families. A production of the Arc of Montgomery, Berks & Bucks Counties, “Building Bridges” is broadcasted from the studios of Berks Community Television (BCTV), Reading, Pa., and airs on Comcast channel 13, Cablevision channel 19, the BCTV Web site, and via the Arc’s blog.
“We wanted a level-headed, informed host who could serve as an unbiased moderator of the debates that go off during the show,” says Paul Stengle, Executive Director of The Arc of Montgomery, Berks & Bucks Counties. “For years, Cat has followed news, legislative changes, and issues that impact the developmentally disabled. She understands our commitment to present a fair and balanced forum where all facts, sides, and opinions are given equal time, so viewers can make their own decisions. We couldn’t have found a better match.”
The program brings together political figures, advocates, community members, and other movers and shakers to openly discuss issues facing developmentally disabled Pennsylvanians. As the mother of a six-year-old boy with autism and Down syndrome, West is well aware of the issues parents of developmentally disabled children deal with every day.
“My son Joey is my grounding force,” says West. “He rearranged my family’s lives for the better, getting us in touch with life at a different, unique level. Now, as host of ‘Building Bridges,’ I want to provoke dialogue that promotes action and change in the Capitol.”
West is also a spokesperson for the Upper Merion Special Education Parental Resource and Interest Group (SPRING). The organization helps parents better understand and meet the needs of their disabled children, and promotes inclusion of disabled children in society.
Before her work with The Arc, West worked in sales management for a computer software company, PTS Learning Systems (now OnDemand Software), in King of Prussia, Pa. With a bachelor’s degree in theater from Westchester University, she’s spent over five years in playwriting and theater, producing twelve community plays, and performing in a variety of local shows. While involved in theater, West met her husband. They have four children.
Archived episodes of “Building Bridges in the Community” and updated legislation and news are available on The Arc’s blog at www.blogsnap.wordpress.com. Episodes can also be found on BCTV’s Web site at http://tinyurl.com/5gabws. For more information, contact Dawn Marie Fichera at Gregory FCA at 610-228-2103 or DawnMarie@GregoryFCA.com.
