The hardship visible on our streets moves many of us to want to help, yet we’re often unsure where to begin. A group of students chose to start by supporting and encouraging those who dedicate their days to serving neighbors experiencing homelessness.
A group of St. Mary’s Academy juniors felt compelled to support the hardworking people serving those experiencing homelessness in Portland. What began as a simple idea grew into the Kind Words Project, a student-led effort to write handwritten thank-you letters to staff and volunteers at Blanchet House. So far, the students have written and delivered more than 100 letters.
Students from St. Mary’s Academy, left to right, Marlow Smith, Myla Duvauchelle, Margot Kirshbaum, and Amelia Ryan, started the Kind Words Project to thank staff and volunteers at Blanchet House.
“I’d see the line of people waiting to eat at Blanchet House every day on my bus ride to school,” shared student Amelia Ryan. “I thought it’d be a cool idea to help make the workers’ day better, give them a little light.”
Amelia, along with Margot Kirshbaum, Myla Duvauchelle, and Marlow Smith, launched the project with the hope of brightening someone’s day during the busy winter season. The project quickly grew beyond the four friends. Students were invited to take blank letters home, write messages of appreciation, and return them. The team sent emails, made announcements, and hung posters around the school to spread the word.
One letter read:
“Thank you for showing up every day with kindness and compassion. Your work matters more than you know, and our community is better because of you.”
Students from St. Mary’s Academy write thank-you cards to volunteers and staff working to serve the homeless at Blanchet House’s community cafe.
“It makes me feel really grateful for the people in our community who work so hard to help others,” Myla said. “It’s a rough time for a lot of our communities, so, to be able to do something that spreads some joy and makes people feel encouraged, even when there are challenges, feels important.”
The students say the Kind Words Project is something teenagers can do, even with busy schedules.
Peer Support Specialist Erik Ramirez holds a thank-you card he received from St. Mary’s Academy students through the Kind Words Project.
“We hope it becomes a chain reaction of everyone helping each other,” Amelia said.
The group plans to continue delivering letters to Blanchet House and hopes to expand the project to other local organizations. Most of all, they’re excited that the volunteers and staff who give so much each week will feel seen and appreciated.
Sometimes, making a difference starts with a pen, paper, and a few kind words.
