According to a 2024 study, an estimated 43 percent of adults aged 60 and older experience loneliness, and 24 percent of adults aged 65 and older face social isolation. This is why the members of the Letters for Rose organization all share a common goal: to spread kindness and connect with the elderly through their letters and artwork.
The Letters for Rose organization was founded during the pandemic in New Jersey to support seniors who felt isolated from their family and friends, by having high schoolers make art and write letters to send to senior homes. Through social media, Letters for Rose gained attention that allowed students across the country to learn about the project and start their own local chapters. Brookline’s chapter was founded by Lily Lockwood ‘22 and has grown over the past few years.
Juniors Lydia Oslund and Ginny MacGregor currently serve as the club’s presidents. Both were inspired to get involved after hearing about the club’s mission. According to Oslund, the combination of creativity and community service was a perfect fit.
“I wanted something to help the community, and I love doing art and writing,” Oslund said. “This club combined all these aspects, and writing letters is very therapeutic, and also while doing that, I can get service hours and connect with elderly.”
Junior Daisy Huang, a member of the leadership team responsible for organizing events and coordinating activities, said she loves the purpose of the club and that anyone contributing can submit their artwork or cards to the drop off boxes around Brookline.
“We have it in libraries and also the high school library. It’s pretty convenient for people. They just write cards and letters checking in on the seniors,” Huang said.
As part of their effort to create deeper connections with the elderly, the club is now focusing on more in-person activities and events.
“We wanted to do more of that in the future, and we’re actually planning one for the winter, because a lot of seniors might not have a family who live close by,” Huang said.
The club is open to everyone, offering a flexible opportunity that is both enjoyable and rewarding. Huang said seeing people collaborate to support the elderly brings her happiness, and that she would encourage others to get involved.
“It’s a really fun way to get community service hours, spend time with other people who enjoy doing the same thing as you and show creativity through a bunch of different ways like artwork and letters,” Huang said. “The club just makes me happy, because it’s such a good cause.”
