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Pen(demic) Pals Project
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in the Pen(demic) Pals Project! This is a letter-writing campaign that connects students and seniors within the Billings community. Check out the tabs below for information about the project, registering to participate, or if you are interested in volunteering with the project.
Have a question? Please contact Amber Nichols at vista10@billingsmt.gov or 406-237-6136. Thank you!
Background Information
The idea for this project emerged from the analytics of city-wide coronavirus surveys conducted by the City of Billings in the Fall of 2020. This survey sought to gather feedback from residents regarding how the pandemic has altered their lives, what services and resources were accessible, and what gaps in service could be addressed within Billings. Survey results indicate that the majority of respondents have experienced increased stress from the pandemic, and many residents report dearly missing socializing and connecting with others in our community. This letter writing campaign seeks to address these issues by providing an opportunity for participants to socialize in a safe, socially distant way.
Signing up for the project is easy! The link below will take you to a secure registration site, where you input your name, where you'd like to receive correspondence, and what organization you are signing up through (if any!). Share a few of your favorite pastimes and hobbies and we'll do our best to match you with a pen pal with similar interests. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email, phone call, or letter containing further information on getting started!
Volunteer with Us!
Volunteers help make this project as far-reaching and inclusive as possible. Volunteer duties may include:
- Vetting correspondence for school-aged participants to make sure content is appropriate
- Hosting virtual or socially-distant writing workshops with groups of seniors
- Preparation and distribution of welcome parcels
All volunteers must be over 18 years of age, or be willing to submit a parent permission form along with a volunteer application. Volunteer applications are available here. Send any and all questions to AmeriCorps volunteer Amber Nichols at vista10@billingsmt.gov. We look forward to hearing from you!
Additional Forms