Adopt-A-Resident': Local Students Connect With Older Adults Through Virtual Pen Pal Program

In New Mexico, Las Cruces-based Medicare insurance broker Heidi Moccia has started a virtual pen pal program to connect students and seniors around the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, reports the Las Cruces Sun-News . She said the genesis of "Adopt-A-Resident" was inspired by her work and the experiences of friends not being able to communicate with loved ones face-to-face during the quarantine. Moccia got in touch with the Haciendas at Grace Village senior living community and the J. Paul Taylor Academy (JPTA). Five sixth-graders, including Moccia's daughter, volunteered for four weeks of pen pals via Zoom with 10 Haciendas residents participating in the pilot project. Moccia said plans are underway to expand the program to involve all 24 seventh-grade students at JPTA. She is collaborating with JPTA physical education and health teacher Jamie Sells to incorporate calls into the social and emotional learning component of the school's curriculum by stressing empathy and social and emotional learning.