Do you love getting mail?Do you want to connect with someone you might’ve not otherwise met?
Do you love getting mail?Do you want to connect with someone you might’ve not otherwise met?
How it works:
Like a good old fashioned pen pal program!
Sign up by May 15. Participants will be matched with someone from a different generation and introduced via email.
Each person will write a one-page letter and send it by June 1. The first letter will include:
An introduction
A few self care tips
From there, it is up to you how you remain in contact with your partner. Don’t get a letter? I’ll set you up with a different partner.
This is going to run quarterly, with a new prompt and the option for a new partner each time. You are also more than welcome to continue with your other partner(s).
Backstory
Something I have grown to become very aware of is how impactful the intergenerational relationships in my life are. I think we all have a lot to teach each other, and every time I spend extended time with people outside my generation who I am not related to, I feel like I gain something. Those relationships are so special to me. So I am starting an Intergenerational Letter Writing Club!
I did this in a trial run beginning in February 2025. I had been spending a lot of time with my grandma and her friends, who she met through her widow group (her “we group”). I was lucky enough to attend some of their Friday happy hours. As I sat in this room and listened to these women support each other, encourage one another, and express gratitude for the group, I always left feeling like I gained so much new insight. It made me want to bring all my friends together with all of these women, just so we could talk to one another.
I love writing letters. I love getting letters. I love getting mail—doesn’t everyone love to get mail these days? So I thought it would be a good idea to try out a letter writing program connecting people from my generation to theirs. To gather participants, I joined my grandmother at one of the formal we group meetings in a church basement. Following a police presentation on how to spot scammers, I stood up and presented my idea. I stayed after, collecting names and addresses from anyone who was interested. Once I had my older generation participants, I set out a call for youngins.
I sent everyone their letter writing partners and hosted a kickoff event where some of us met and sent out the first letters. Led by the younger gen, they sent letters introducing themselves, asking questions, and opening up a dialogue. The response I received from both sides was really amazing.
I knew that these connections, while fun, would not last forever—but isn’t that the joy of letter writing and a pen pal? This idea has been stuck in my mind for some time, so I thought it was time to restart this program, being more inclusive of all generations.
Testimonials:
“I loved hearing from a different generation outside of my grandparents (love them! But loved hearing a new perspective)! I took my penpal’s advice and travelled more in the last year and had the best time. I created so many lifelong memories within three trips, and I’m currently planning to travel more!”
