Apply to write

1. Eligibility: To participate, volunteers must be at least 13 years old and able to handwrite letters in English legibly. No prior experience is necessary, but emotional maturity and empathy are key.
2. Time Commitment: There are no minimums for time or the number of letters written—you choose when and who you write to. Our only requirement is that each letter must be mailed within seven days of claiming the letter request.
3. Postage and Writing Supplies: Please note that the cost of writing supplies and postage is the volunteer's responsibility. SHNF is unable to provide reimbursements.
4. Restrictions on Politics and Religion: We ask that volunteers refrain from including political or religious messages in their letters, as our goal is to provide neutral, inclusive support for all recipients.
5. Letters are Reviewed: All letters are mailed to us first to ensure they align with our guidelines and provide appropriate, supportive content before they are mailed to the recipient. We will take it from there! We add mental health resources to all letters and then we send them off to the intended recipient.
6. Communication: All communication with our letter writers happens in our private Facebook group. Please keep this in mind when applying as you will be required to have a Facebook account to join the group.

We take confidentiality very seriously and prioritize the privacy of every individual involved in our programs. To ensure the highest level of security, the founder of our organization is the only person who reviews or has access to writer applications and letter requests.

Letter writers will not have access to any personally identifiable information on the letter request such as last name and address. They only have access to the information they need to personalize the letter they are writing.

We are an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering a community built on kindness and compassion. We believe that everyone deserves to feel valued and supported, regardless of their background or circumstances. Our commitment to inclusivity ensures that every person we reach knows they are welcomed, respected, and embraced with care.

We expect all of our writers to reflect these values. Every letter you write must bring positivity, hope, and encouragement to the recipient. By upholding these values, you help create a supportive and uplifting environment for everyone involved in our project.

We encourage potential volunteers to reflect on their emotional readiness before applying. Topics like suicide, trauma, and PTSD could be triggering or overwhelming. To minimize potential triggers, all of our letter requests are titled and categorized so that you can easily identify topics that might be triggering before reading the details.

It’s essential to ensure you are in a place where you can engage without compromising your mental health. It’s okay to decide this opportunity is not the right fit for you at this time.