The Concerned Kids’ Mandate is to educate children about social issues through interactive puppetry. This nonprofit organization began in Toronto in 1988 (incorporated by January 1989) because of a recognized need to reach children with effective messages concerning HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse.

Educators and community groups expressed a need for a creative way of reaching children. Four women knew that through experiential puppet shows they would be able to get through to the participants of the shows. Children see and hear when puppets speak, the more senses that are engaged, the more likely that the information will be retained.

The Concerned Kids has been educating through interactive puppetry for over 20 years. Schools ask us to return regularly as they find our presentations are very useful for their students. In the last 20 years we have performed for over 300,000 people. The Concerned Kids is also fortunate to have long term volunteers who continue to support and promote the organization. All of our puppeteers are volunteers as are our board members.

Each presentation consists of three ten minute skits. At the end of each skit there is an opportunity for the children to ask questions from the puppets. The puppets respond to the questions, meanwhile they are reinforcing their message and modeling appropriate behaviour and language. At the end of the three skits the puppets are put away and the puppeteers are introduced. Now is the time when the children can ask questions from the adults about puppeteering or about the show. It is this interplay between the puppets, children and puppeteers that makes our presentations unique and successful.

The programs have been developed and designed by professionals in each of the particular fields. Programs presently address Bullies and School Safety (Grades 1 – 5), Substance Abuse (Grades 4 – 6), Gangs, Violence and Prejudice (Grades 4 – 6), Multiculturalism: Celebrating Diversity (Grades 1 -5). We can also perform a show called Bereavement, Living with Cancer.

We request honorariums of $150 for our performances, however if the school does not have the funds we will still perform. The Concerned Kids believes that every child has an equal right to the social education that we do. We rely on donations and fund raising to continue our programs.

Our community based Volunteer Board of Directors was formed in June 1990. We have one full time person, a part time assistant, 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