They are less than a block apart, but a new program facilitated by a few University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing students has connected residents of an enriched living facility with Grades 6 and 7 students, through writing letters.

Kassandra Pickering says when she arrived at Luther Tower for her clinical placement in January, she could see that many residents were feeling both lonely and alone.  She notes that this was right after the facility got out of quarantine because of a COVID-19 outbreak.  Because Pickering knew there were nursing students working at Brunskill School around the corner, she connected with them to begin a Pen Pal Project.

So far there are 8 tenants and 18 students are involved and the students have had their first letters delivered to the seniors.  Because of the safety protocols around COVID-19, between writing and receiving, the letters sit untouched for 72 hours before they are delivered.

Pickering hopes this program can continue to expand to other facilities and classrooms in the future.
She believes it equally benefits the residents at Luther Tower and the students.