As New Jersey families face flooding, tornadoes and wildfires with increasing frequency, Sesame Workshop has launched a new initiative to help children and families prepare for and recover from extreme weather — with backing from the New Jersey-based PSEG Foundation.
The initiative provides free bilingual resources for parents, caregivers and providers, including Sesame Street videos, preparedness guides, printable activities, storybooks and child-friendly emergency care kits. Sesame Workshop will also host preparedness and recovery events in communities through its partner networks.
Maria Spina, senior manager of PSEG Foundation and Corporate Social Responsibility, said the initiative aligns with one of the foundation’s core priorities.
“Community well-being is one of the PSEG Foundation’s core pillars, and we believe communities are better equipped to navigate challenges when families have the information, resources, and support they need before an emergency occurs,” she said. “That’s why we are proud to support Sesame Workshop to make extreme weather preparedness accessible to children and families.
“By turning important safety information into free bilingual, age-appropriate resources, this initiative helps families practice preparedness and resilience, while giving children the tools and confidence to understand what’s happening and know how they can help.”
The initiative launched alongside “Storm on Sesame Street,” a new special airing on Netflix and PBS Kids, featuring guest appearances by Post Malone and actor Michelle Buteau. In the special, Elmo and his friends prepare for a big storm, then help their neighbors rebuild afterward.
The need is growing. Children born in 2020 are projected to experience up to seven times more extreme weather events than those born in 1960, and one in five Americans has had to evacuate their home due to such events, according to Sesame Workshop.
The new free resources, available in English and Spanish, include:
- New digital content: Sesame Street videos with beloved characters offering timely advice and comfort.
- Refreshed family guides: Updated Let’s Get Ready and Here for Each Other guides to reflect changes in extreme weather intensity and frequency.
- Shareable activities: New printables and articles that support children and families’ overall well-being connected to environmental stressors, such as heat or air quality.
- A New storybook: A printed and digital storybook, available later this fall, to help children find words for goodbye and healing when the things they love are lost.
- Sesame care kits: Child-friendly “go-bags” with familiar friends like Elmo and Abby that include comfort items and everyday essentials such as backpacks, blankets, and toothbrushes to support families during evacuations and periods of displacement.
Joseph Giraldi, chief operating officer of Sesame Workshop, said the initiative reflects the organization’s broader mission.
“Extreme weather is now a reality for many families, and young children need support they can understand and trust,” he said. “With our Extreme Weather response initiative, we’re using the power of Sesame Street to help children prepare for what’s ahead, cope with big emotions during moments of disruption, and begin to recover afterward. From our new storm special to year-round resources and community outreach, this initiative reflects our commitment to showing up for children and families when they need it most.”
