How John Legend and Sesame Street Help Children Connect with Their Incarcerated Parents During the Holidays

As a father himself, John Legend wants to make sure all children can communicate with their parents during the holidays.

The musician thinks this parent-and-child communication should include everyone — including those whose parents are currently incarcerated. Legend’s campaign FREEAMERICA, which has been working to transform America’s criminal justice system since 2015, partnered with Sesame Street to help kids “communicate with their parents who are away,” Legend, 38, tells PEOPLE.

“We incarcerate so many people, and a lot of times we forget about their kids that are left behind and how it feels for them to be without parents,” says Legend. “The emotional effect that it has on them, the financial effect it has on their families as well — I think a lot of times we forget about that toll of incarcerating so many people.

“[We’re] trying to bridge that gap so there’s stronger communication between the kids and their parents.”

In November, with help from The Osborne Association, five children (ages 4 to 12) visited the Sesame Street set and spoke to Muppets like Abby Cadabby. The conversations allowed the children to open up about their experience missing their parents, or even prepare them for what it might be like to visit them.

Many children who will be visiting their incarcerated parents over the holidays might not expect changes in their appearances — like having a new haircut or wearing a special uniform — and Sesame Street in Communities helps them deal with these realities. Legend visited the set to meet with the kids himself.

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