We are thrilled to report that our first-ever Intergenerational Pen Pal program – developed in partnership with Sawtooth Mountain Elementary teachers Emily Olsen and TJ Long – was a huge hit! The project began as a pilot program in October 2025, with 34 fourth grade students and adult volunteers aged 60+ exchanging monthly handwritten letters from October through April.
The teachers helped their students learn the fundamentals of letter-writing, including how to structure a handwritten letter and address an envelope. They gave students monthly writing prompts, asking them to share things like their favorite books, hobbies, or holiday traditions. Students discovered the joy of waiting for a letter in the mail and looked forward to reading their pen pals’ responses to those same writing prompts. Students and volunteers discovered they had a lot in common, while also learning that their experiences were sometimes quite different.
The capstone of the program was a Popsicle Social held at the close of the school year, when the students and elders met each other for the first time in person. There were lots of hugs and smiles! Many parents joined the event, with one remarking that the program had been their child’s favorite part of the 4th grade school year.
The program received enthusiastic “thumbs up” from students and volunteers as well. One volunteer reflected, “[The students] have touched my heart. I have watched them grow in each letter. They will be with me forever.” Another wrote, “I don’t have the opportunity to meet too many elementary school kids, so writing these letters back and forth made me much more aware and feel more connected to the kids in our community.” Care Partners Executive Director Julie Wilson was absolutely delighted with the program. “Our program coordinator, Minda Andrus, did an amazing job of imagining and making it happen in partnership with superhero teachers TJ and Emily. We’re already looking forward to making the magic happen again next year!!”
For more information, or to receive an application to participate in the 2026-2027 program when it becomes available, contact Care Partners Programs Coordinator Minda Andrus at 218-387-3788 or minda@carepartnersofcookcounty.org. All participants must be 60+ years of age, complete a program application, and consent to a background check.
