Comfy-Cozy Corners Spread Fun With Sesame Street

Children thrive when they feel safe, secure and have the chance to learn.

That’s why, in partnership with Sesame Street in Communities, CWS offices across the country are building Comfy-Cozy Corners—dedicated spaces where refugee children can engage in play, learning and fun activities alongside beloved Sesame Street characters.

In April 2024, CWS Harrisburg launched its own Comfy-Cozy Corner, a Sesame Street-decorated, supersized area for children to play and read. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with enthusiastic support from community members, partners and, most importantly, the children themselves. One of the earliest visitors, a young princess immersed in Sesame Street stories, epitomized the joy and wonder these spaces inspire.

These Comfy-Cozy Corners provide a child-friendly zone for our youngest newcomers, offering a welcoming environment where they can play, read and learn while their parents or guardians engage with CWS staff to access essential services. 

By alleviating stress and providing opportunities for connection and resource-sharing among families, these spaces play a crucial role in supporting the holistic well-being of newcomer children.

Over the next several months, CWS offices across the Northeast, including New York City, Jersey City, Georgetown, Rochester and Indianapolis, are building their own Comfy-Cozy Corners. With each new Cozy Corner, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing the potential of refugee children and creating inclusive environments where they can thrive.

To learn more about the work of CWS Harrisburg, click here.

Mama Orpa’s Resilience in a Drought

In a small village in Kupang, West Timor  lives Mama Orpa, who spends her days in the hot sun weeding grass on her plot of land. Mama Orpa works alongside other farmers who work together to grow corn. One thing about Mama Orpa that has been consistent for many years is her resilience. At the same time, however, a new inconsistency has arisen: the changing environment. 

Mama Orpa is not only a farmer in her local farm group but the treasurer as well. Despite the fear amongst her fellow farmers about a changing rain pattern, Mama Orpa clearly states that she is not afraid. Regardless, the effects of the delayed and erratic rain have been unavoidable. “Usually we are overwhelmed by the amount of seeds but now some seeds do not grow because there is not enough rain. Caterpillar pest attacks are also high,” she explained. 

In her refusal to let fear consume her, Mama Orpa soon discovered a source of good fortune when she and her fellow farmers were invited to participate in CWS’ Timor Zero Hunger program. “We received training in corn cultivation, post-harvest processing and double-track planting patterns. As a result, the number of corn stands nearly doubled,” said Mama Orpa enthusiastically. 

Another valuable skill Mama Orpa and her fellow farmers learned was how to make organic fertilizer and pesticides from local ingredients. This has helped them reduce production costs without reducing crop yields. She has also learned how to take scraps from the produce and turn them into food for her pig. “This program has really helped us,” she stated. 

While showing off her corn plants that were vibrant green despite the rain scarcity, Mama Orma said, “I applied to my land what we have learned in this program and the results are like what we see together now.” Together we are seeing that Mama Orpa’s resilience and hard work have paid off. 

To learn more about programs in West Timor, click here. 

Empathy in Action: A Journey of Community Outreach in The Bahamas

For as long as she can remember, Delice Y. Lynch’s life in the Bahamas has been marked by her passion for helping vulnerable populations. She shared, “Before my transformative experience with the Bahamas Psychological Association…, my efforts were focused on distributing food to those in need, especially during the challenging times of the Covid-19 lockdown.”

n the summer of 2023, she began a new role as a community educator at the BPA, working on the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) project supported by CWS. Delice assumed this position during her after-work and weekend hours. As she explained, the project of took her “outside [herself]” pushing her beyond the confines of her usual routine. “Street by street, I shared vital information on managing stress in crisis situations, leaving helpline numbers for those who needed additional support,” Ms. Lynch said.

This grassroots approach proved invaluable, reaching individuals who normally would not attend mainstream educational programs, such as conferences and seminars. “In our society today, all over the world, but specifically in reference to the Bahamas and, in particular, New Providence, the street-to-street approach is essential for contacting that group of persons in a non-judgmental way.”

Ms. Lynch added, “It has impacted me in that I have become more empathetic with persons living in distressed situations. I understand more fully that “for the Grace of God I move forward.”

As part of the initiative, Ms. Lynch also participated in Psychological First Aid training, earning certification as a psychological first-aid provider. She also volunteered to be on call during national emergencies.

Ms. Lynch found herself using these skills on at least two separate occasions since her involvement in the project. “I’m happy that I had the skills to assist, thanks to the training received,” she said. The streets she walked, the stories she heard and the lives she encountered have collectively woven a narrative of compassion, resilience and the transformative power of human connection.

The CWS Hurricane Dorian Long-Term Recovery Program in the Bahamas concluded in March 2024, supported by grants from Episcopal Relief and Development and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Learn more about CWS’ work in Latin America and the Caribbean here.