THE CONCERNED KIDS' mandate is to educate children, young people and adults with whom they are concerned, about social issues through the medium of interactive puppetry. This non-profit organization began in Toronto in 1988 (incorporated by January 1989) because of the need to reach young people with messages concerning HIV/AIDS and SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

Community groups and educators expressed a need for new and creative ways of reaching young people. Four women began this organization knowing the need to provide children and young people with knowledge about HIV/AIDS and SUBSTANCE ABUSE could be done through the medium of interactive puppetry. Children listen and HEAR when puppets speak. We believe the medium of puppetry is an ideal way to give children, young people, parents and other concerned adults needed information in conjunction with discussion and skill development activities. Puppetry is an effective way to interact with children and young people concerning issues that are important to them.

THE CONCERNED KIDS has been educating through interactive puppetry for 20 years. Our programs are suitable not only for children and young people, but also for adults with developmental disabilities. Each year our numbers have grown as the programs gain wider appeal. The overwhelming response attests to the cooperation and collaboration with the schools and community groups in the Greater Toronto Area.

Each program provides a stimulating and unique way of discussing each topic. Interactive puppetry is an excellent medium by which to reach young people because the participants are very comfortable with the puppets and not threatened, as they may be by an adult.

THE CONCERNED KIDS is the only organization in the GTA that educates young people and adults with developmental disabilities about these social concerns through the medium of interactive puppetry. Our important social messages have reached more than 400, 000 young people in the last twenty years. Since inception, the numbers of programs presented and audience members have increased greatly.

Our target population is children, young people and adults with developmental disabilities within the setting of a school or community group. These people participate in each of the three parts of the programs. The programs have been developed and designed by professionals in each of the particular fields.

Programs presently address DRUG AWARENESS (Grades K-3), SUBSTANCE ABUSE (Grades 4-6), VIOLENCE, GANGS & PREJUDICE (Grades 4-6), and BEREAVEMENT: LIVING WITH CANCER (Grades 4-6).

We request honorariums from the schools and are reliant upon donations and fund raising to continue our programs.

A community based Volunteer Board of Directors was formed by June 1990. We have one full time staff person and over 20 volunteers working behind the scenes and as puppeteers!

The Board of Directors, staff, puppeteers and puppets reflect the ethno-cultural mix of the student populations being addressed.

BIN 886594191 RR0001