FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 18 , 2005

CONTACT:
Michael Runestad
317-634-6341 x 135
miker@family-service-inc.org

Arts group and social service non-profit
announce National Family Week collaboration

National Family Week is Nov 20-26 and in its honor, Family Service, the oldest social service not-for-profit organization in Central Indiana, is collaborating with local arts organization Children’s Theatre Institute on two events. These two family-friendly events will help parents teach children important life lessons:

Family Festival
Tuesday, Nov 22 at 4 p.m.
Nora Branch Library ( 8625 Guilford Avenue)

At this family activity, children will have the opportunity to enjoy a live theatrical production of “The Little Old Lady Who was not Afraid of Anything.” This delightful story is full of audience participation and teaches children how to address similar fears in their own lives. Children will love the humor of the little old lady’s fearless attitude and her clever solution to the strange noises she hears. After the show, children will have the opportunity to create fall crafts and parents will have the opportunity to create a Child Identification Kit to help their children feel safe.

This FREE National Family Week event is presented by Family Service of Central Indiana, Inc. in collaboration with the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library and Children’s Theatre Institute.

Gift of the Magi
Saturday, Nov 26 at 2 p.m.
Children’s Theatre Institute ( 1201 N. Central Ave)

This theatrical event helps families to rediscover an important meaning of the holidays -- thinking of others. Join two neighborhood children who learn from the mystical Mrs. Magi that we all have something of value to offer even if we don’t have much in the way of material possessions. Children of all ages will learn the importance of giving and selflessness while watching these two friends trade their most treasured possessions to help one another.

This FREE National Family Week event is presented by Family Service of Central Indiana, Inc. in collaboration with the Children’s Theatre Institute.

Children’s Theatre Institute has been providing civic education to children since it relocated to Indianapolis from Chicago in 1997. “Theatre is a great way to teach children important lessons like the importance of sharing,” CTI Executive Director James Leagre said. “Parents tell us stories of how their children internalized aspects of shows and emulated the positive decisions made by characters when faced with similar moral dilemmas.”

Family Service is excited to partner with CTI on National Family Week. “Story is an excellent way to teach children important life lessons,” Family Service President Edie Olson said. Family Service’s partnership with CTI provides families with a unique opportunity to teach valuable character lessons while spending quality time together.”

About National Family Week:

Sam Wiley, an Indianapolis teacher and school administrator, started National Family Week in 1968 as a means to provide Americans with an opportunity to promote strong families. Wiley strongly believed that the family was the most important factor in determining a child’s success in school and life. Legislation was passed by Congress to have the week of Thanksgiving recognized as National Family Week. For more than 30 years, the Alliance for Children and Families, a national membership organization headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, has coordinated and promoted National Family Week throughout the country.

About Family Service:

Supporting families since 1835, Family Service of Central Indiana, Inc. strengthens families to help them overcome typical marital or family conflicts and more serious challenges like domestic violence and chemical dependency; provides training and support for individuals to become better parents, caregivers, money managers, supervisors, and employees; and empowers adults to continue to live independently as they learn to cope with aging and/or mental or physical challenges. Last year, over 8,000 individuals from Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, and Morgan counties were guided toward their goal of a stronger, healthier family by the caring counselors at Family Service.

For more information, visit www.family-service.inc.org or call 317-634-6341.

About Children’s Theatre Institute:

Children’s Theatre Institute was founded in 1993 in Chicago and began touring across the Midwest with adaptations of classic literature. In 1997, CTI relocated to Indianapolis and expanded its mission to a full range of theatre arts programming, which includes a full season of plays for families, in-school programs, and summer camps. The professional staff of actors and teachers retained by CTI has experience with many companies including Indiana Repertory Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and Chicago TheatreWorks.

For more information, visit www.childrenstheatreinstitute.org or call 317-423-2999.

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