Sesame Street doesn’t shy away from tough topics. The beloved children’s show has tackled challenging subjects in the past and this time, with the help of a six-and-a-half-year-old Muppet, it’s helping kids affected by parental addiction.
The educational children’s classic recently introduced a new series of videos and other content featuring Karli, a Muppet whose mother is dealing with addiction. You may remember Karli as a new face on Sesame Street last May. Karli, who was first introduced as part of the Sesame Street in Communities foster care initiative, was in foster care. With this new initiative, the Muppet’s storyline has expanded to dig deeper into her mother’s addiction and recovery.
Favorite friends, such as Elmo and Abby Cadabby learn about addiction and help Karli to cope with what she’s going through. Sherrie Westin, President of Social Impact and Philanthropy, Sesame Workshop, said, in a press release, “Addiction is often seen as a ‘grown-up’ issue, but it impacts children in ways that aren’t always visible. Having a parent battling addiction can be one of the most isolating and stressful situations young children and their families face.”
Westin also added, “Sesame Street has always been a source of comfort to children during the toughest of times, and our new resources are designed to break down the stigma of parental addiction and help families build hope for the future.”
Learn more about Karli and how she can help children impacted by parental addiction at www.SesameStreetinCommunities.org.
—Erica Loop
Featured photo: Sesame Street in Communities via YouTube
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