DCAC's Prevention Program Comes to Life with Puppet Master

Most folks who know DCAC know Mark Hellerstein as our fantastic board president, and that he is! But ask any 3-9 year old child in our “Denver Safe from the Start” prevention program, and he is the life behind their favorite talking bookworm, Winston!

Mark’s passion extends from the board room into Denver classrooms where his professional ventriloquism brings “Winston” worm, the bookworm to life. In 2010 Mark spent almost 40 hours at head start sites and elementary schools awing 900 young children. His performances introduce and conclude the eight week long “Denver Safe from the Start” prevention program in DPS Elementary schools and Head Start programs. Mark and Winston present important safety concepts that teach children to keep their bodies safe. Songs and jokes keep the children on their toes and every audience captivated!

Angela Davidson, DCAC director of prevention and education remembers being at CMS Community school last spring. A first grade student came into the library for the puppet show. When he saw Winston and his book, he got really excited and exclaimed, “I remember that book! It’s about safety!” He must have been a student in the ECE class when DCAC did Denver Safe from the Start in years past and still remembered a key part of the puppet show!

“Seeing how kids respond to Mark is very rewarding, how they retain information he provides reminds us why believe prevention is so important for young children. He volunteers his time and we really value his generosity to our program” said Angela.

Mark & Winston

“Denver Safe from the Start” is our highly successful sexual abuse prevention program. Last year DCAC was awarded a federal grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention that expanded the program into several DPS elementary schools. The program teaches children between three and nine years old safety rules about their bodies, who they can talk to if they have a problem, and that abuse is never a child’s fault. Mark is an essential part of the prevention team and we are so grateful for all that he does! Executive Director Gizane Indart commented on Mark’s important involvement,

“Every year, through Denver Safe from the Start, DCAC is able to reach hundreds of students, and many parents and teachers. The success of this program relies heavily on the skills, talents, and generosity of Mark Hellerstein. We, at DCAC, are forever grateful to his invaluable contribution.”

Thank you, Mark! For all the many ways that you champion the cause of children!