OUR STORY

“This idea formed because we used to volunteer weekly at a local nursing home. The elder we connected with the most was Rose. The first time we met her, her eyes lit up with happiness. She started talking to us immediately about her childhood, life in general, and anything she could think of. This is only one of the many elders that are in nursing homes and need people to talk to. Unfortunately, the in-person volunteering had to end due to the pandemic. This saddened us deeply because we had built strong and meaningful connections with the residents, and looked forward to seeing them. We once saw a resident receive a letter from her daughter, and she started crying because it brought her so much joy to know that someone thought of her. This showed us that the smallest act of kindness for elderly truly does make a difference.”

- Annika and Layla, National Founders

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The Joseph siblings reached out to Annika and Layla because they had been volunteering at their local nursing homes prior to COVID.  Once the COVID pandemic occurred, nursing homes were on lock down for the safety of their residents. The Joseph siblings felt that this group provided a platform for young adults like themselves to serve the elderly in a safe way, and provide comfort while they are isolated from family, friends, and outside volunteers.  

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Mrs. Morehead and Mr. Medlin offered to sponsor this group, and Mr. Ilgenfritz gave the siblings his blessing to make the group official. Thus, the first Letters for Rose chapter in the state of Louisiana was formed at Caddo Parish Magnet High School.

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Letters For Rose is now an international nonprofit organization whose purpose is to help the elders battle lonliness due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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