Current topics are blindness, Down Syndrome, multiculturalism and deafness for second grade and cerebral palsy, cancer, diabetes and learning disabilities for fourth grade. This program is presented to over 4,000 youth each year. A county faculty assistant conducts the program, coordinates it with schools, supervises and trains the 26 teen volunteer puppeteers. The puppetry program uses male and female child-size puppets of different races and ethnic backgrounds. The child-size puppets are large, colorful and are brought to life by the puppeteers.
Students often comment that they forget there is a person operating the puppet.
The interaction of these puppets is presented in a humorous and non-threatening atmosphere. It is designed to make students aware of the impact their actions have on disabled and challenged youth. It shows youth can develop caring relationships with their peers, including those who are challenged. This program is unique in its recruitment of peer volunteers to present the skits. Youth are easily influenced by their peers.