Sesame Street in Communities

[An Example of a post about why each city was chosen]

“Sesame Street in Communities is built on the idea that we all have a role to play in helping every child grow up healthy, and we’re thrilled to launch it here in Kansas City, a trauma-informed community committed to helping local families become more resilient in the face of adversity,” said Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, Senior Vice President of U.S. Social Impact, Sesame Workshop. “Twenty-five percent of children and youth and Kansas City live in poverty, and 41 percent live in low-income households. Poverty is a primary risk factor and stressor for children, and families living near or in poverty struggle with basic needs, like housing, food and healthcare. By working hand in hand with local partners, we can help build the circle of care that every child needs to thrive.”

Kansas City has already made tremendous progress in helping its most vulnerable communities. In 2015, the city received an RWJF Culture of Health Prize for its efforts to ensure that every resident has the opportunity to live a longer, healthier, and more productive life. In the past decade, this work has led to improved life expectancy across the city, including a major reduction in the gap between white and African-American residents from 6.5 years to 5 years.

“We’re proud to serve as one of Sesame Street in Communities’ founding partner organizations here in Kansas City,” said Joe Reardon, President and Chief Executive Officer, KC Chamber. “The KC Chamber’s goal is to make our region the best place to live and work, and we know a healthy, resilient community is crucial to our efforts. We’re grateful that, with Sesame Street in Communities, we’re able to offer our hardworking community service providers, caregivers, and parents proven, thoughtful, and fun resources that will help them better support families and children in all types of situations, from the difficult to the everyday.”