Pen pal program connects children and seniors during outbreak

A lost art is resurfacing in the middle of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Jillyan Clark from Qu’Appelle House in Regina has started a pen pal program, connecting kids with residents living at the seniors home.

The idea came after she talked to her sisters, both of whom had kids at home with schools closed.

Speaking on the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Monday, Clark said it was something that could help both young and old.

“Just because we have to be socially distant doesn’t mean we can’t be social. This is definitely a good way to engage people,” Clark said.

Due to concerns about spreading the coronavirus, no mail actually gets sent. Children write the letters, which are photographed by their parents and emailed.

The 30-some residents have received more than 75 letters and 50 drawings and pictures.

“We’ve been doing FaceTime and a lot of technological, different ways of communicating. (Residents) are shocked that people can pick up a pen and paper and write a letter too,” Clark said.

She said adults are making submissions as well and old pictures of Regina have been particularly well-received for the nostalgia factor.

Many of the pictures and drawings go up on a “Joy Wall” in the home.

“(It’s) something that the residents can stop and take a deep breath and look at this wall and maybe crack a little smile despite what’s going on in the world right now,” Clark said.

The idea has been spreading. Clark said the Cupar and District Nursing Home and the Eden Care Community home in Regina are taking it up as well.