magicienne | my magic hands
magicana ::
Starting off as a volunteer day, My Magic Hands has become a fully-funded eight week program delivered to a range of children throughout the Greater Toronto Area for 96 weeks of the year!
In 2004, Julie was one of the founding magicians to develop the program which started off targeting at-risk youth. The program has since expanded and Julie has become a lead instructor. Working along side other magicians, the program uses the metaphor of magic - that anything is possible - to empower and challenge young people to go beyond self-perceived boundaries.
The results of the program have been incredibly rewarding.
While the program runs in schools, community centres and with mentorship programs such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Julie finds the work at the hospitals to be especially moving. Thanks to Magicana's supporters, Julie has been able to create and establish a unique partnership where magicians and hospital care givers (including teachers, speech therapists, occupational therapists) marry magic and well-being to give children magical results.
Clients who suffer from either existing or recently acquired injuries have a whole host of challenges to overcome - never mind learning a card trick or two! Yet the bond that the Julie builds with the clients and therapists generate a trust and respect that is truly inspirational. Children trust that their magician will come week after week and she does. And in return, the children work very hard to gain mastery over their magic assignments. Along the way, the children develop skills both physically and emotionally that are overwhelming. It all becomes obvious when the children stage The Big Show at their last class. Julie has been the lead instructor since 2005 and is very proud of the work she and Magicana have created.