SSAIC’s puppet show program for Grade 4 students that teaches students that they are the boss of their bodies.

What is “I’m the Boss of Me?”

“I’m the Boss of Me” (ITBOM) tells the story of three friends, two of whom have experienced sexual abuse. One child discovers through her friend that sexual abuse is not her fault, that it should never be kept a secret, and that there are people who will believe her and provide help and support. This puppet show is a story of friendship and courage; it teaches children what sexual abuse is (along with physical, emotional and cyber abuse), why it abuse is wrong, that abuse is never their fault, not to keep it a secret, and how to get help if they need it.

This program is booked by teachers into Grade 4 classrooms in Saskatoon each fall, with shows being delivered from January to March annually. Teachers receive a unit with six lesson plans and associated activities that meet the Saskatchewan Health Curriculum, and SSAIC trains volunteer facilitators to present a gentle puppet show for Lesson 3 of the program. ITBOM is endorsed by both the Saskatoon Public School Division and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools.

The puppet show is approximately 20 minutes in length, followed by a group discussion between the facilitator and the students; each presentation requires approximately 50 minutes in each classroom.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our 2022 “I’m the Boss of Me” funders:

  • Saskatoon Public School Division
  • Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
  • Community Initiatives Fund

Read our 2022 Final Report here!

Why volunteer as a facilitator for “I’m the Boss of Me”?

This program is an excellent opportunity to gain skills and knowledge regarding child sexual abuse, responding appropriately to children who have been abused, and confidence in group facilitation and public speaking.

Volunteer facilitators will have the opportunity to:

  • Gain valuable volunteer experience in a program that is widely recognized in our community;
  • Participate in a hands-on lesson with children;
  • Present a serious and difficult topic in a gentle, fun and effective way to young children;
  • Become more comfortable with the issue of child sexual abuse so they are prepared to address it in their careers;
  • Learn about Duty to Report and how to respond to a disclosure of sexual abuse;
  • Create connections with teachers and schools in the Saskatoon community;
  • Take part in a flexible volunteer program with plenty of staff support;
  • Get as much out of this program as the children do!

Our volunteer program often attracts (but is not limited to) post-secondary students in the fields of nursing, education, and social work with our flexible booking system and focus on practical skill building for their future careers. No prior experience is necessary; we will teach you everything you need to know. However, enthusiasm, responsibility, punctuality, strong communication skills, and the ability to have fun with children are a must.

The Volunteer Application Process:

We recruit and train volunteer facilitators on an ongoing basis. Interested applicants must complete this Volunteer Application Form and may be contacted for an interview.

Successful applicants must also pass a vulnerable sector criminal record check. The record check can be obtained at no cost to you as a volunteer; we will provide you with the appropriate form to submit to your local police service or RCMP. An honorarium will be provided to each facilitator upon completion of the program.