MY TURN
Connections Through Correspondence
W AMERICAN HERITAGE
GIRLS IS BRINGING
BACK THE
OLD-FASHIONED ART OF LETTER
WRITING TO A
GENERATION OF
GIRLS DESPERATE
FOR MEANINGFUL
FRIENDSHIPS. hen was the last time you
opened your mailbox with a
twinge of excitement, wonder
or glee? If you’re anything like the rest of us,
it’s probably been a while.

As an adult, the word “mail” is synon-
ymous with “junk,” or worse yet, “bills.”
But think back to your younger days, when
“snail mail” reigned supreme, and a letter
with your name on it opened a world of pos-
sibility. Could it be a letter from a friend?
A prize from a write-in contest? A card
from grandma? Through our national Pen
Pal Program, American Heritage Girls, a
faith-based character and leadership devel-
opment program for girls ages 5 to 18 with
troops in counties including Baltimore,
Howard, Montgomery, Frederick and Cam-
den, is bringing back the old-fashioned art
of letter writing to a generation of girls
desperate for meaningful friendships.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
reports that youth who feel connected at
school and at home are less likely to expe-
rience negative health outcomes related
to sexual risk, substance use, violence and
mental health. Humans were created to be
in connection with one another—we thrive
in true, authentic community. In a digi-
tal age where our kids are always on alert
for fake, filtered and fame-seeking people,
opportunities for true friendship can feel
few and far between.

But offline, there’s a world of opportu-
nity away from the disappointment of low
views or post likes. Putting pen to paper (in
real life—not fingers to a keyboard!) helps
develop critical written communications
skills and the ability to focus while foster-
ing a real connection between the writer
and the recipient. Plus, kids can experi-
ence that same rush of dopamine they feel
online when they open the mailbox to see a
new letter (without the pendulum swing of
emotion that toxic social media comparison
inevitably brings).

Letter writing is woven into the fabric
of our nation. I think of the letters First
Lady Abigail Adams wrote to her husband—
she poured out her heart, spoke her mind
and dreamed of the future in those letters.

34 Washington FAMILY DECEMBER 2022
BY PATTI GARIBAY
Instead of performing for the crowds on
social media, what if your son or daughter
could instead find one like-minded friend
with whom they could confide and dream
via mail? Kids of Gen Z and Gen Alpha are
valuing genuine personal relationships more
than ever before. Taking on a pen pal is one
“vintage” but effective way to connect.

When I founded American Heritage Girls
(AHG) nearly 30 years ago, I would have
never believed that today over 55,000 mem-
bers in all 50 states and 15 countries would
be forming lifelong friendships through
our program. For a lot of families, AHG
is a haven away from the screen, giving
their girls the opportunity to unplug, form
life-giving relationships and discover new
passions. We started the AHG Pen Pal Pro-
gram to connect girls nationwide in 2005,
just as people were beginning to chat online.

Today, it’s fostering offline friendships in a
generation longing for deep, meaningful
relationships. I recently heard from a fam-
ily who embarked on an 8,000-mile road
trip across the U.S. with two special stops—
meet-ups for both daughters and their pen
pals! You’d never know these girls hadn’t
met in person before. Their bonds made
each joyful meeting feel like a reunion of old
friends. In these days of isolation, don’t we
all want that sweet sense of acceptance and
familiarity for our children?
As we enter a new year, encourage your
child to commit to one letter per month to
a pen pal throughout all of 2023. Splurge
on a few colorful pens or a pack of stickers
and watch the creativity, thought and emo-
tions flow. Soon she’ll be eager to check
the mailbox, just as you once were, hope-
ful for correspondence from her newfound
connection T
Patti Garibay is mom to four, grandmother
to 11, and the founder & executive director
of American Heritage Girls (AHG). AHG is
the premier character and leadership devel-
opment program for girls ages 5-18 that
embraces Christian values and encourages
family involvement. To learn more about the
program or to find a Troop near you, visit
americanheritagegirls.org PHOTO PROVIDED: PEN: ASHA VECTOR/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS
How Letter Writing Can Encourage Your Kids



S A V E T H E
D A T E !
JOIN US FOR A DAY
OF FAMILY FUN!
Fair Oaks
Mall, VA
11750 FAIR OAKS MALL,
FAIRFAX, VA 22033
SATURDAY FEB 18 2023
NOON TO 3 PM
Montgomery Mall, MD
7101 DEMOCRACY BLVD.

BETHESDA, MD 20817
SUNDAY FEB 26 2023
NOON TO 3 PM
REGISTER: washingtonfamily.com/campfair
WIN A
1 00
C $
AM SCHOLAR P S
HIP! For advertising opportunities contact us
at advertising@washingtonfamily.com
or call 410.902.2300, ext. 2
BaltimoresCHILD.com 35