Phone Pal Project

Hello Parents!

I am a seventh grader named Lily. For my independent study project, I have started a Phone Pal Program where kids call senior citizens in Hoboken to check in on them and see how they are doing.

I have gotten my sister and some friends to join and City Counsel member Jen Giattino has connected me with the seniors who are interested in having a youth phone pal.

There are more seniors that want to sign up, so I am looking for more kids. If your child is interested, they would register on the doc attached (here) and then after that, they will get a letter telling them that they are in line for a senior pal.

The letter is a procedural letter giving kids an idea of what to say and ideas for things to talk about. I have really enjoyed talking with my senior. We talk twice a week, but my sister talks with hers once a week. Your child and their senior can decide on when and how often they want to talk.

Also, they will get a call log form to fill out after each call. It will only take a few minutes to fill out. Kids will just write down anything they think was important about the call. I was definitely a little nervous before calling the first time, but I really like my senior and she lives alone so it’s nice company for her.

This project is not through Mustard Seed. They are helping with me getting more kids, but it’s something I’m doing with my parents and Jen Giattino. If you have questions, you can contact me or my parents.

Matt – [email protected]

Mara- [email protected]

-Lily