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j j w sa 4 s- on c jeipmibinl istiiiwwegommunitymesday i4ug 8 2060 3 ri byannachristinadiliberto special to the economist svitilttt6une his isnt any ordinary puppet shriwf concerned kjdshelps educate- more than li 63000 young children every year about social issues through puppetry v- lt was in 1989 that concerned kids communicating through puppetry began since then the group has captured the attention of 306000 young people in york region schools educating them about- hivaids and substance abuse through interactive puppetry this program is beneficiaffor all young people it provides- them with information to make proper choices when they are faced with lifestyle decisions said joyce attis executive direc- tor for concerned kids v this year theorganizatibnhas added two new programs that target young people in grades 4 to 6 one oh bereave ment and another on viqlehce gangs arid prejudice the programstarget different- age groups ranging from kindergartento grade 9 depending on the topia organizers say interactive puppetry as a medium fordeliv- ering these- messages to young people has a high impact because participants feel comfortable with puppets and are not threateriedas they might be with an adult i concerned kids provides prepreseritation materials for teachers1mteracuye lifesize puppet performances 45 min- utes long and followup materials to promotefurther discus sion this nonprofit organization does riot charge for its perfor- mancestkerefqre is reliant on donations fundraising and sponsorships funding jsjneeded so more puppets can be purchased more troupes can run and new programs can be introduced i the organization is currently looking for 30 voiunteers with eimerdramaexperierice or dramatic flare organizers suggest being part of this organization would be a valuable experience forthose interested in teaching as well volunteers will begin an eightweek training course aug j the course will enable them to participate as puppeteers they vjlearrijvarious techniques such as characterization lip synchronization manoeuvering dealing with the social issue pfogramand about team and troupe work volunteers are required to commit one halfday aweek for j- y staff photosjoerd witteveen- puppeteer xiviapravato left brings hospice nurse abbie lynched life as she introduces a doggie to puppet kenny montgomery held by joyce attis a boywho suffers from a brain tumour tfwhple school year t peteeringand to teach children said pravato liviapravato has been with the organization for six years organizers are also looking for a new member to join the she started asavolunteerpuppeteefandnqwworksfuutime- board of directors anyone with fundraising experience is as the office coordinator v s invited to apply r she considered volunteering for concerned kids after see- mg an ad in a newspaper for more information call 4161s361656 a website also has been set up idioughtitwouldbeagoodwaytogainanewskiuinpup- j- v v in a variety of karatb gmrawmm iliprliiiilhiili aflngerstykess izfi3nvtm internationally certified karate 11 ktekboxttimmcmmfimm wfjkickicardigkipkioxi n0vj accepting september preregistratioi sean 1lonos carafe tkfiiness studio 905j472kick5425j iv 5460hwy7 urni 4 v1ariham ontario r i pci s s i i v sitthtikgi f t h l lamin 5460 hwv hi wivv 1 lwyi it b yfi iwmm lisl t co is u t if y jf 5 v highway 7f rv isi- isi t 1 r 1 sv