The Caring Mail Project: Spreading Cheer to Isolated Community Members

During this stay-at-home time, Cubs and their families will spread cheer to seniors who volunteer their time helping isolated seniors! Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging is a 110-year old Cleveland-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to support caregivers and empower all people to age well through research, consumer-responsive services and client advocacy. As profiled in this article, the Senior Companion Program connects older adults aged 55 and older with a trained peer volunteer who can share a friendly conversation, offer companionship and minimize isolation. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Benjamin Rose’s Senior Companions have not engaged in face-to-face volunteer programs. However, Senior Companion volunteers have been connecting directly with their clients as part of a unique new telephone-based socialization program. Senior Companion volunteers have also engaged in various other remote activities such as pen pal letter writing and signing holiday cards to send to older adults who reside throughout Cuyahoga County.

• Paper, cards, or postcards
• Something to draw/write with
• Optional: stickers or collage materials
• One mailing envelope that will fit your family’s collected creations
• Postage