Perkins Job Corps security trainee Mercedes Day, applies her free time at home during distance learning, brightening other’s days by writing pen pal letters to senior care residents. After Day viewed a heartfelt request for pen pals on June 24th from Victorian Senior Care on face book, she felt the need to respond and began writing residents and even included a few small gifts. The staff at Victorian Senior Care posted individual pictures of residents with a note reading their name and address, and hobbies or interests, seeking pen pals with mutual interests. The pen pal campaign was initiated in resolution of not being able to allow visitors during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, the pen pal campaign has exploded among senior living facilities, and has been highlighted recently in the national news. Day isn’t alone in her compassionate efforts, celebrities such as Family Feud host Steve Harvey, Tennis player Roger Federer, the Pittsburg Steelers Football team and the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team have all responded to pen pals and sent gifts in response to the Senior Care facilities call.
So far, Day has written 2 pen pals Verla and Robert. Verla likes to go to church, out to eat, and socialize; Day sent her a printed bible verse to hang on her wall along with her letter. Robert enjoys reading the bible and music; Day purchased the book “Stand Strong 365 Devotions for Men by Men” and sent along with her letter to him. Day cared for elderly family members in her adolescent years, and believes that experience is where her passion for our wise seniors came from. “During these hard times (Covid-19 National Pandemic), its taught me a lot including patience. Being in isolation for safety even though I interacted with my instructors daily for distance learning really changed me. When I saw the nursing home residents, I wanted to let them know that they are not alone and there are people out there who care. “ states Day passionately in response her efforts.
Day came to Perkins Job Corps in January of 2020 seeking employment training in order to be able to live independently. She acknowledges that though she has only been enrolled in the Perkins Job Corps under a year, she has already improved her communication and employability skills. Day’s goals are to improve her leadership skills, become a peer counselor, complete her training, and begin her life. Carl D. Perkins Job Corps center is thankful for the compassionate spirits and actions of our students, we will continue to support them in their efforts to become respectable, productive citizens.