For many years I have had a dream to have my own puppet program (prevention-focused). In these years I provided prevention services to schools/agencies and families I gained experience by working with hundreds of children of all ages (and families) and explored different prevention programs (many highly recognized). Based on working with these children and families and having my own children who were faced with a lot of challenges, I began writing stories and puppet scripts several years ago. I also had the assistance of my youngest daughter, Amber.
For the past two years i have been working on the creative design and planning of my new program. Today my dream is now a reality with the creation of the “Friends from Sunshine Center” and the Feelings Garden.
First I designed a set of the puppets (6 multi-cultural puppets) and their concepts (what value and learning experience each represented and stood for), and the puppets came to life through the creativity and craftsmanship of my sister Kristi Dalske. Kristi lost her son Chris, age 22 to suicide in 2001. She had never touched a sewing needle until she made a memorial quilt out of his clothes. This is amazing that she had this gift which now gives her enjoyment and a way to give back to others. Each puppet is handcrafted with special love and care.
The Mission of PTP is:
To utilize puppetry and other creative art forms to educate youth
To provide children with tools and skills to keep them safe, refuse negative behaviors, and empower them to make healthy choices for their future.
Research & Evaluation
The program is designed to address the risk and protective factors associated with violence and substance abuse. Evaluations, utilzing pre and post test measures, have been conducted at Sunshine Prevention Center on the programs effectiveness on teaching and enhancing positive social/life skills and reducing inappropriate behaviors in children.
Additionally, The Center for the Arts in collaboration with Rutgers University is conducting and evaluation on the prevention programs at Sunshine. The Friends from Sunshine Center is being utilized as a tool for educating children in the area of prevention.
Official results on both evaluations will be available 2006
The summer 2004 we piloted the new program at Sunshine Prevention Center to over 50 children a week during the Morning Glories program. Lessons included teaching skills in dealing with bullies, appreciating diversity, drugs and alcohol, and making friends, and more. The puppets and stories were a huge success.
The program is continually growing, offering new components, series and unique character education products.The various series consist of prevention-focused lessons that enhance social and life skills and prepare children for the challenges they face.
The first series - Promoting Peace - Violence Prevention Series teaches positive expression of feelings and empowers youth to do their part to make the world (their community) a safer place.
Additional series to come:
A Healthy Life - Alcohol & Drug Prevention educates on the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse and making healthy choices. (2006)
Taking Care of Me - A Health & Safety curriculum that teaches about strangers, self image, dealing with family challenges and more. (2006)
