Community Corner

New Cable Show Spotlights Local Groups Extending 'Helping Hands'

Produced at SWOCC Studios, the show is hosted by Farmington Hills resident Diana Jacokes.

A new show produced at SWOCC (Southwestern Oakland Cable Commission) Studios shines a spotlight on organizations that reach out to people in need with "Helping Hands". 

The Farmington Area Goodfellows are featured in the first episode, which is now posted on YouTube.com in addition to being broadcast on Farmington city channel 15 (Bright House). Host Diana Jacokes talks with David Kenerson, president, and Judy Glass, secretary, about the Goodfellows' holiday drive. 

Producer Patti Soma said the idea for "Helping Hands" came out of a public access show she did called "Equal Access", which focused on groups that serve people with disabilities. SWOCC also does a "Community Connections" show that highlights nonprofits.

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The new show will feature others who provide services to people, even something as simple as a child who has a lemonade stand to raise funds for a good cause.

"It's anybody who's interested in helping anybody else," she said. 

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The logo for the show is hands signing the word "help" in American Sign Language, Soma added. And when it came to picking a host, Jacokes was at the top of her list. 

"I've known Diana for years," she said. "I just thought it would be a good fit."

Jacokes said as a writer and someone who does staffing, she knew how to conduct an interview, but had never interviewed anyone camera. 

"What was appealing about it is there are so many people doing good things in the community, and some of them don't get as much attention," she said.

Because her brother, John George, runs a nonprofit (Motor City Blight Busters), she added, "I know how hard it is for non-affiliated nonprofits to get what they need. I thought this would be a nice way to give back." 

The goal of "Helping Hands" is to give nonprofits a platform to tell their story. "That's what it's all about, is communicating," Jacokes said. 

Find broadcast times for the show on SWOCC's website


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