2015 NETA Award Winner: Content Production/News & Public Affairs

Budget: $54,942

One in three North Texans can't weather a financial storm that lasts 90 days, a problem known as asset poverty. A job loss, health emergency, even legal trouble is enough to plunge a third of their friends and neighbors into financial distress. One Crisis Away followed four families on the financial
edge. It included radio stories, videos, blogging, conversations on Think and a public forum presented by KERA and the Communities Foundation of Texas. Moderated by KERA's Krys Boyd, the event featured an in-depth discussion on asset poverty with three experts: Andrea Levere, president, Corporation for Enterprise Development; Alfreda Norman, vice president and community development officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas; and Larry James, president & CEO, CitySquare.
WATCH

People who made it: Courtney Collins; Dane Walters; Mary Beth Boehm; Jeff Whittington

Awards Judges panel said …

One Crisis Away is an initiative that can lead to real change. KERA’s engagement strategy and online materials were successful connecting viewers with resources.

One Crisis Away showcases the value of public TV as a community convener. KERA clearly drove home the dire economic plight while providing clear and easy to understand expert analysis.

The personal stories told without a narrator allowed the people to directly talk to the audience. I liked how graphics highlighted information in the
stories, without the use of a narrator, which could have been disruptive.