Washington Post (6/19, Bahrampour) reported Alexandria, Virginia high school students and Goodwin House retirement community residents have forged new friendships during the COVID-19 pandemic through the Companion Program, which the Post described as “a sort of coronavirus-era pen pal relationship.” Through the program, 28 pairs have been communicating regularly over the past two months.
Valentina Raman, the school’s director of service learning and social entrepreneurship, said, “There was a mutual need. Our students were also feeling the effects of not being able to see their friends; they also felt the loneliness and isolation of the moment.” She added, “The students are having a lot of fun. ...