The Michelle Obama-Sesame Street connection

Former First Lady Michelle Obama helped Sesame Workshop raise more than $4.5 million at a June 5 event in Manhattan. Obama was not the only guest of honor at the event, which also recognized the role that the Ford Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York played in starting “Sesame Street” in the 1960s, according to Center Daily Times. The star-studded crowd also included TV host John Oliver and cookbook author/television personality Chrissy Teigen. Singer John Legend also performed for the crowd.

“For half a century, Sesame Workshop has been on a continuous, relentless, and successful mission to help kids get ready for school-and for life,” said Jeffrey D. Dunn, president and CEO of Sesame Workshop. “As we mark this historic anniversary, we’re proud to honor Former First Lady Michelle Obama, a tireless champion of children and families who shares our commitment to improving the lives of kids around the world.”

Nearly 500 members of the PWC community joined us at our Spring Gala in celebrating honorees from Bank of America @BofAPrivateBank, Johnson & Johnson, and @proskauer and to advocate for NYC students, schools, and families. THANK YOU to our amazing supporters and partners! pic.twitter.com/lAvH9MnSSB

— Partnership with Children (@PWCNYC) June 6, 2019

Comunilife has received a five-year, $10.3 million contract from the New York City Department of Social Services. The money will fund supportive housing services, according to the City Record. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, meanwhile, has given new contracts to three nonprofits. New York and Presbyterian Hospital will provide services for mentally challenged people, per a $2.3 million contract. Bailey House will provide $100,000 worth of opioid treatment and prevention services while Lantern Community Services has locked down a contract for $408,780 in supportive housing services.

Partnership for Children raised $1.3 million at a June 4 event in Manhattan. Nearly 500 people attended the event, which benefits ongoing mental health services for students, according to a press release.

The American Museum of Natural History is breaking ground on a controversial new expansion. Museum leaders, government officials and the general public will gather outside the museum at 10 a.m. today for the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation. The expansion has been the subject of litigation pitting the museum against a group of activists concerned about how the project would affect an adjacent park. An appeals court judge ruled in favor of the $383 million project in April.

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties has $85,000 in grants to give. Nonprofits in the two upstate counties can submit proposals for projects in categories such as animal welfare, arts, education, human services, and seniors, according to a press release. A public vote in August will decide eight $10,000 grants. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 19, 2019. More information is available here.