How it works

From intake to mailbox: the flow behind every letter.

1

Tell us about your loved one

Families or facility staff fill out a short intake: interests, history, cognitive status, language, and any topics to avoid. The more we know, the more personal the letters become.

2

Match a correspondence character

We pair the recipient with a warm pen pal character whose tone and background fit their personality. The same character writes every week, so the relationship builds over time.

3

Draft with memory, review by a person

Each letter is drafted with the help of writing tools that remember details from past letters. Then a human editor reviews, edits, and approves every draft before it is printed.

4

Print and mail

Approved letters are printed and mailed via USPS First Class mail. Families receive a weekly receipt with the mailing status.

5

Replies become part of the story

When a recipient replies — by mail, phone, or through the family portal — our editorial team transcribes and reviews it. The character remembers those details in future letters.

Safeguards

Human-in-the-loop

No letter is sent without human approval. Editors check tone, facts, safety, and consistency with the recipient profile.

Privacy and consent

We collect only what we need, encrypt data in transit and at rest, and use Row Level Security. Families sign a consent form before letters begin.

Pause or cancel anytime

Life changes. Families and facilities can pause letters for vacations, hospital stays, or any reason, without penalty.

Escalation for concerning replies

If a reply signals confusion or distress, our team flags it and notifies the designated family contact or facility staff.

Ready to start?

Postal Pen Pal is in limited preview. Join the waitlist and we will be in touch when we open to new families and facilities.

Join the waitlist