What Can I Do To Be An Ally To Refugees?

What can I do to be an ally to refugees?

Here at Sesame Workshop, we see so much reason to have hope, and you should too. It’s easy to feel like the refugee crisis is a far-away problem, but we know from research that children suffering the effects of war who receive no assistance will face enormous long-term challenges that can affect not only their own long-term health and wellbeing, but also the economic prosperity and wellbeing of their communities – having a ripple effect on society as a whole. But children are incredibly resilient, and we know it’s possible to make a real and lasting difference in their lives if we can reach them early.

Sesame Workshop’s partnership with IRC is philanthropically funded and relies on people like you for support, something you can learn more about at www.sesameworkshop.org/refugees. There are other ways to be an ally as well. For example, you can send a message of support for a Syrian child through UNHCR here.

At Sesame, being an ally also means being a friend – something that Elmo and his fellow Sesame Street Muppets know a thing or two about!

That’s right, Miss Sherrie! Elmo knows a lot about friends because Elmo has all kinds of friends on Sesame Street. Elmo knows that Abby Cadabby and Big Bird and Alan and everyone else on Sesame Street are Elmo’s friends because they play games with him and have lots of fun with him, but mostly they are kind to Elmo. Like when Elmo is sad about something, Elmo’s friends always listen to Elmo and help him find ways to cheer up. When Elmo went on a trip with Miss Sherrie to Jordan and met new friends there, they were really kind, too, even though they were sad because they had to leave their homes because it wasn’t safe for them there anymore. So if “ally” means being a good friend, Elmo thinks the best way to be an “ally” to all the people like his new friends in Jordan is to be kind to them!