The Washtenaw Promise PenPal Program is a simple but powerful way to connect young students with caring adults in their community.
Through the joyful act of letter writing, children build confidence, strengthen literacy skills, and experience the warmth of a relationship that grows on paper—one envelope at a time.
Each year, Washtenaw Promise pairs early elementary students in Ypsilanti-area classrooms with local adult volunteers to become PenPals. Throughout the school year, they exchange handwritten letters—building a friendship rooted in curiosity, encouragement, and mutual respect.
Students and volunteers typically exchange one letter per month. Washtenaw Promise coordinates each pairing, ensuring that communication is safe, consistent, and developmentally appropriate. Volunteers are provided with light guidance and optional prompts to help keep the exchange engaging and age-appropriate. Teachers help students write and send their responses during class, often incorporating it into their literacy routines.
The letter-writing process gives children a unique opportunity to practice reading, writing, and storytelling in a meaningful, real-world context. It builds anticipation, deepens self-expression, and nurtures a sense of belonging. For many students, their PenPal becomes a trusted figure—someone who listens, responds, and helps them feel seen.
Children in under-resourced communities often lack opportunities for personal attention and positive adult connection outside the classroom. The PenPal Program helps close that gap—fostering self-worth, improving literacy, and expanding a child’s sense of what’s possible.
For volunteers, the act of writing back becomes a chance to share wisdom, encourage growth, and brighten a child’s day—while also rediscovering the beauty of slow, intentional communication.
It’s a low-barrier, high-impact way to make a meaningful difference.
You don’t need classroom experience to change a child’s life—you just need a pen, a little time, and a willingness to listen. Reach out to learn how to become a PenPal or bring this program to your school.
Empowering young children in underserved communities through literacy, confidence, and social-emotional growth — supported by volunteers, educator development, and strong community partnerships.
