Mylan N.V. And Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind Sesame Street, announced a new effort to help children and families cope with the transitions and uncertainty stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through a $1 million donation from Mylan,Sesame Workshop will create a series of educational resources and videos to meet the socio-emotional needs that families across generations and around the world are experiencing.
The new resources, which will be available in multiple languages as part ofSesame Workshop’s Caring for Each Other initiative, will help families navigate difficult topics such as anxiety, frustration, sadness, and grief. Designed to help families build resilience, establish comforting routines, and foster a sense of hope and optimism, the resources will also celebrate frontline workers like health care providers and medical supply chain workers and their families.
In addition to financial support, Mylan will share the resources with its 35,000 employees around the world so that they and their families also can benefit from this initiative.
Mylan CEO Heather Bresch said: “While Mylan and many other members of the global healthcare community have been busy responding to the physical need for care and access to medicine amid the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the social and emotional toll of these unprecedented times has also continued to grow. Around the world, children and their caregivers may be experiencing a sense of loss, isolation, or uncertainty, and aligning our efforts with Sesame Workshop to support families during this time of need provides a wonderful opportunity to help.”
Sesame Workshop’s President of Social Impact and Philanthropy Sherrie Westin commented: “At Sesame Workshop, we know how important it is to establish a foundation for overcoming challenges and building resilience from a young age. With the tremendous uncertainty that children and families are facing the world over because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re grateful for Mylan’s support as we equip families with the tools they need to overcome the challenges of today and thrive into the future.”
The new resources will be released on a rolling basis starting this fall around the world, including the U.S. and markets in Latin America and Europe, as well as India, South Africa and more. The digital content will be distributed through a wide range of channels, including platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp, and social media, as well as through on-the-ground community providers and partners to ensure even those in difficult to access areas are able to benefit from the free materials.
