Whittier Tech Students Connect with Wingate Residents Through Pen Pal Program

HAVERHILL– Whittier Tech sophomores in the Health Assisting program are working to stay connected and learn more about their community throughout the pandemic thanks to a new pen pal program between the school and a local assisted living facility.

Shortly after Thanksgiving, 16 Whittier Tech sophomores began exchanging letters with the same number of residents at Wingate Residences at Haverhill.

Health Assisting Instructor Kim Malynn, who graduated from Whittier Tech in 2001 and now co-teaches the course with her former instructor Jane Moskevitz, came up with the idea to create the pen pal program in order to allow students to safely connect with Wingate residents during the pandemic. 

One major goal of the program for health assisting students during their sophomore year is to learn how to connect with residents, develop interpersonal skills and learn to effectively communicate. Though this is usually done by having students meet with Wingate residents in person, Malynn sought a creative alternative in order to protect the health and safety of students and Wingate residents.

At first, students wrote general letters that were shared with a resident at random, but now, each student is matched with a resident who they will continue to write to and learn more about.

“It has been incredible to watch the students and residents connect with each other and build meaningful relationships over the last few weeks,” Malynn said. “During these challenging times, this helps to provide some comfort and joy for both parties. Some have even been paired with residents who used to work at Whittier Tech, so it has been fascinating for the students to learn about this shared experience.”

The students and residents write to each other about careers and passions, as well as memories and life experiences in order to connect. Wingate’s Life Enrichment Director Michelle Meehan said she has been impressed with the letters students have written to residents, showing great respect, empathy, curiosity and maturity in order to create meaningful connections. Other residents are even attending the pen pal groups in order to hear what the letters say. 

“The residents understand how challenging it is to be a high school student during COVID-19 – with limited in-classroom learning, on-line education, and missing out on the social aspect of being in school,” Michelle Meehan, Life Enrichment Director at Wingate, said. “Many residents feel it is our job to share wisdom and encouragement to the next generation and since we cannot have in-person, ‘intergenerational program’ visits (nor go to Whittier for our monthly luncheons in the restaurant – which we miss dearly) – this would give us a way to contribute and connect with students during a time when they may feel isolated during their high school year. Many of our participating residents were nurses, teachers, administrators and they also enjoy learning from the students as times have certainly changed from when they were in school.”

The hope is that students and residents will continue to write to each other throughout the school year, and to have students potentially visit Wingate in the spring to meet their pen pals for an outdoor, socially distanced event.

“I am beyond proud of the way Kim Malynn and her students have been able to engage with community members through this program,” Superintendent Maureen Lynch said. “This program is a true example of the kind of community members we aim to help our students become during their time at the school. We are lucky to have such kind, enthusiastic students as well as supportive community partners who help give our students inspiring, real world experiences.”

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