Project SMILE

Join Us in the Fight Against Loneliness Among Seniors

Project SMILE is a step that you can take to help reduce loneliness among isolated seniors, one person at a time.

How does it work?

To participate, simply write a friendly or encouraging letter or card, and we’ll take care of the rest. Our team of volunteers will pass along your hand-created card or letter to one of many seniors who are affected by isolation and loneliness today. It’s one simple step you can take right now to make a difference and brighten someone’s day.

Send a Project SMILE Letter

Simply complete the Letter Request Form below to have a letter sent to a senior. Have questions? Check out Project SMILE FAQ below.

Have questions about Project SMILE?

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions below

What should I write about?

Great question! The real answer is that you can write about almost anything that you feel will be friendly or encouraging. Below are a few suggestions to get you started.

Share about yourself: Mention the city you live in and your current or previous job, and ask them what kind of work they did.
Discuss your hobbies and interests: Talk about your favorite books, TV shows, or movies, and consider asking about theirs.
Share a favorite memory, and ask if they have one to share.
Tell them a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know.
Mention any upcoming plans you’re excited about.

Are there any topics I should stay away from in my letter?

Yes, there are a few topics we would suggest you avoid in your letter.

We suggest you don’t share anything too personal or related to financial matters.
Don’t share your social security number, passwords, account numbers, or any other information that could be used inappropriately.
Please refrain from sharing significant problems, bad news, or anything that might cause sadness for the senior receiving your letter.
We recommend that you keep any relationships started through Project SMILE as strictly mail-based relationships. We don’t recommend meeting in person.
Please do not include any information that could be interpreted as an offer to buy something or that reflects a financial motive of any kind.
See also the Project SMILE Prohibited Content page.

Will I receive a letter back from the senior who received my letter?

If you’d like to receive a letter back from the senior, it’s recommended that you mention in your letter that you’d welcome a letter back from them.

To receive a letter back, you’ll need to provide your mailing address on our letter form. Including your mailing address for a return letter is completely optional. If you choose to include your address, there’s no guarantee that you will receive a letter back. But in many cases, return letters are sent.

Are there any safeguards to ensure the letters received by seniors are appropriate?

Yes, every letter sent through Project SMILE is reviewed by our volunteers to ensure the content included is appropriate.

How many letters can I write?

We recommend limiting the number of letters you choose to write based on your ability to respond with further letters to any participating seniors who write back to you.

What if I don't want to use the web form provided here?

If you would rather mail your letter to a participating senior, you can send your letter to the following address:

Stepping Up For Seniors
Attn: Project SMILE
21001 N Tatum Blvd
Ste 1630-230
Phoenix, AZ 85050

I have a group that wants to participate. How can we provide several letters at one time?

Group participation is always welcomed. You can send a group of letters by email to smile@steppingup.io, or you can mail the letters to the address provided in the answer to the previous question above.

My child would like to participate. Is there an age requirement?

We request that only individuals aged 18 years or older submit letters to Project SMILE. However, children are always welcome to participate in coordination with a parent or guardian aged 18 years or older.

I know a senior who would benefit from this program. How can I submit their name so I can be a letter recipient?

Yes, we welcome senior participants you know who would benefit from receiving a SMILE letter. Simply use the Letter Request Form above and select option ‘A Senior You Know’ to submit the senior’s information.

Is my personal information safe when I participate in Project SMILE?

Yes. Stepping Up For Seniors prioritizes the protection of your personal information. We do not collect any sensitive information for Project SMILE. For more information about how your basic information is used and protected, please read our Privacy Policy.

How are seniors selected to receive letters?

Stepping Up For Seniors assists seniors from all walks of life, the majority of whom are low-income. The seniors who receive Project SMILE letters are primarily identified through contact made by our volunteer team during their ongoing assistance efforts. Additional seniors are selected based on recommendations from partner organizations and Project SMILE participants.

How can I help to support Project SMILE?

There are three ways you can support Project SMILE’s efforts.

Participate by writing a letter or message to a senior facing isolation and loneliness.
Provide the name and required information of a senior who could benefit from receiving a Project SMILE letter.
As a non-profit organization, Stepping Up For Seniors relies on financial support from our generous donors to keep our services going. If you are interested in financially supporting Project SMILE, any contribution, large or small, is greatly appreciated. To donate, simply visit our Donate page.

Thank you for your interest in supporting Project SMILE!

Still have questions?

Feel free to contact us at smile@steppingup.io