ORLANDO, June 30, 2025 — Just in time for hurricane season, WUCF, Central Florida’s PBS station, is releasing a new installment of its award-winning Meet The Helpers series—this time featuring a weather forecaster.
The new video content premieres June 30 with Jessie Ruth Schaper, Observation Program Leader and Meteorologist at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Melbourne.
Created for children ages 3–7, Meet The Helpers introduces young audiences to real-life community helpers while building early understanding of safety, preparedness and civic responsibility. The new videos help children learn how weather forecasts are made, what meteorologists do and how families can prepare for storms together.
“In Central Florida, understanding the weather isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity,” said Jennifer Cook, Executive Director of WUCF. “These videos break down complex science in a way kids can understand and show them the real people working to keep our communities safe. Meet The Helpers is part of our commitment to inform, prepare and support families, especially when it matters most.”
What’s New in This Release
Media can watch several of the newest additions to the series here. They include:
- an introductory video to “Meet a Weather Forecaster”
- an in-depth video exploring weather science and preparedness
- a crisis-response video for use after severe weather events
- hurricane preparedness versions running through November
- an imminent landfall version that will run before an expected landfall of a storm
- a new "It Helps To Know" story, "How to Prepare for Severe Weather," promoting storm readiness
“Meet The Helpers is an excellent way to help children, and their families, begin a mindset of preparation at a very early age,” Schaper said. “Programs like Meet The Helpers showcase careers in public service that can empower the youngest in our community to know the importance of helping others, and in turn, prepare them for their future as adults. Learning about helpers in their community inspires the next generation to continue making a difference for the benefit of everyone.”
A National Resource for Families and Classrooms
Created by WUCF for children in Central Florida, Meet The Helpers has been adopted by PBS stations across the country and widely used in classrooms through PBS LearningMedia, the go-to-platform for teachers and early childhood educators.
The multi-platform series fosters emotional resilience and safety awareness by helping kids understand what helpers—like doctors, scientists, EMTs, and now weather forecasters—do to support their communities. It also encourages children to explore careers in public service and understand their own potential to help others.
All videos, along with downloadable activities and classroom guides, are available at MeetTheHelpers.org.
WUCF: Central Florida’s Trusted Source for Weather and Emergency Alerts
Beyond children’s programming, WUCF plays a vital role in Central Florida’s emergency communication ecosystem as a key partner in the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The station helps ensure uninterrupted delivery of life-saving messages via:
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs): Reaching cell phones with weather, AMBER and other critical alerts
- TV and radio broadcasts as part of local and national EAS infrastructure
- The WUCF Storm Center, providing real-time weather advisories, emergency preparedness resources and storm coverage
- Partnerships with public safety agencies and the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (FPREN), informing Central Floridians in times of weather emergencies.
“Being storm ready starts with being informed,” added Cook. “WUCF is proud to be that trusted resource for families across Central Florida, and with Meet The Helpers, we’re reaching even more homes, schools and hearts across the country.”
About WUCF:
WUCF serves as the region’s trusted source for educational programming, arts, culture and local storytelling. As Central Florida’s only PBS affiliate and home for jazz, WUCF offers free, accessible content that enriches lives, fosters curiosity and strengthens the community. Guided by the mission “We Change Lives,” WUCF is committed to connecting, inspiring and empowering audiences across all platforms. To explore WUCF’s impact and programming, visit www.wucf.org.
WUCF Media Contact:
Christine Dellert Mullon
christine@sondersays.com
407.718.0199