Residents and patients at Parker Jewish Institute are enjoying an extra dose of inspiration that is arriving by mail this week.
These older adults are receiving heartwarming letters, artwork and encouraging messages from a group of 7th graders at New Hyde Park Memorial High School, which includes grades 7 through 12.
The items bring optimism, encouragement and smiles amid the COVID-19 pandemic, during which visiting is largely prohibited, per state and federal guidelines, to protect against the virus’ spread.
“Stay Positive,” a student expressed in calligraphy in an illustration featuring vivid spring flowers.
“We will get through these tough times together,” another student wrote.
The initiative is all thanks to Bryan DiScala, an English teacher at New Hyde Park Memorial High School.
“If we can do something meaningful for the residents at Parker Jewish Institute, we’re happy,” Mr. DiScala said.
Older adults at Parker, along with its staff, are welcoming the student outreach.
“The students are spreading joy to the Parker community during this unprecedented time, especially for older adults,” said Michael N. Rosenblut, Parker Jewish Institute’s president and CEO. “The students’ letters and artwork let our residents and patients know the community is thinking of them.”
Research shows that maintaining connections to others help reverse feelings of loneliness. And for older adults, loneliness and isolation are also connected to poor health, memory loss and other challenges.
Students, too, are benefitting from this new outreach initiative, DiScala said. The program fosters emotional learning for students who are now adapting to the stresses of new dynamics, which include distance learning and staying home to help limit the outbreak. DiScala said he is building connections with other organizations that might also welcome his students’ outreach, and that other teachers at his school would lead a similar effort with their students.
Meanwhile, the initiative enables students to sharpen their writing skills, express themselves through art and build a sense of empathy as they help connect the world to make it a little less lonely.
