For the past 25 years, Naperville Community Television has given hundreds of nonprofits a platform to tell their story.
“People can hear their story and understand better the incredible lengths to which these nonprofits have gone to solve a problem,” said Jane Wernette, Executive Director for NCTV17. “It just makes you feel humble and proud.”
Spotlight’s start
That platform is NCTV17’s longest-running program, Spotlight. Drawing inspiration from his previous work at Wheaton’s public access station, which featured a similar program, NCTV17’s longtime engineer Carl Schultz adapted and refined the concept to highlight Naperville’s vibrant charitable network.
“When I first made the move to Naperville, the nonprofit giving-back community really made an impression on me,” said Schultz. “Because nonprofits were so welcomed in the community, it was a no-brainer that I continue that show, but try to make it a little bit better.”
Debuting in 2001 as Spotlight on Naperville, the program originally aired live on Channel 17 one Wednesday night a month, featuring six guests from multiple nonprofits for a heartfelt, one-hour conversation.
“The first impression was how much it tied in with what the Chamber of Commerce was doing at the time, because they had a not-for-profit membership opportunity, not just businesses,” said former Executive Director Mary Lou Wehrli. “So Carl bringing this kind of structure with enthusiasm and knowledge really benefited the whole community.”
“Pride in what you do, being able to share that in the community that you do it in because of NCTV, I think is beautiful,” said Spotlight’s first host, Kandiss Hernandez, now the Executive Director for Kidz Kabaret.
Continuing to shine
Over two decades later, the program has evolved into pre-recorded, 30-minute episodes, broadcasted on Channel 17 and posted on NCTV17’s website twice a month. Each episode is also sponsored, now by IntentGen Financial Partners. Though it’s evolved, “Spotlight” continues to stay true to its original mission, highlighting 72 nonprofit organizations each year.
“All of [the nonprofits in town] together contribute to the fabric of this healthy, vibrant community,” said Nancy Wiersum, former Spotlight host. “ I can’t imagine our community without them, and I can’t imagine our community without this platform.”
Beyond the studio
Recent episodes have taken viewers beyond studio walls and inside nonprofit locations, including animal rescues, food pantries, children’s organizations, museums, and other community spaces. These on-location interviews give viewers an authentic firsthand look at the dedicated people and vital services powering each group.
“I love Spotlight,” said Chief Development Officer for DuPagePads Chad Pedigo. “It helps to spread messaging so folks are aware of how they can support [and] how they can be more involved.”
Look forward to a bright future
As Naperville Community Television, a nonprofit station itself, proudly celebrates 25 years of shedding a spotlight on the local nonprofit community, the station’s leadership says the future of the program looks bright.
“I’m most proud of the fact that the show is still going on. It has gone through a lot of changes, a lot of iterations, but it’s still fundamentally the exact same show,” said Schultz. “I’m hoping that what NCTV has done for these not-for-profits has helped them in the long run. I choose to believe it has.”
“There’s a much broader array of nonprofits in town,” said Wernette. “I’m very proud that the station has continued to be committed to doing this show.”
