CRUISING THE SEAS THEME WEEK
Volunteerism Detailed Program Guide
Postcards from the Sea
Messages of Encouragement
Sending kindness from one Port to another
SURPASS SENIOR LIVING
PROGRAM SNAPSHOT
Day 3: Ports Around the World
Program Purpose
Resident focus group, postcard creation, and community connection
Residents choose where encouragement will be sent, create sea-inspired postcards using message supports and large-print templates, and take meaningful roles in sending kindness from one “port” to another.
HOW THIS CONNECTS TO BRANCH
Residents connect outward and see themselves as part of a wider community of care.
Residents can read, choose, write, decorate, sign, count, sort, bundle, or help deliver.
Residents choose the recipient, message, design, and the way they want to participate.
The program uses familiar strengths: kindness, writing, reading, art, choosing, and welcoming.
Residents create messages that leave the room and reach people beyond the community.
Encouragement reminds others that they are remembered, supported, and not sailing alone.
Participation can include different approaches. Residents may write a message, choose a phrase, dictate a thought, add a signature, decorate a postcard, count completed cards, or help with delivery. Handwriting is never the only way to contribute.
BEFORE THE PROGRAM
MATERIALS
•Focus group voting page
•Printable postcard templates
•Thick markers or colored pencils•Bold-tip pens
•White cardstock or sturdy paper
•Pre-printed message strips
•Short encouragement poems•Glue sticks for message strips•Scissors
•Basket or tray for completed postcards• Dry erase board for recipient list•Nautical stickers or ribbon link
NO PURCHASE IS REQUIRED - USE MATERIALS ALREADY AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY
DETAILED FACILITATOR SCRIPT
1.Welcome
What to Do
Gather residents around tables with postcards and supplies visible, but keep the focus group page first.
Suggested Language
Today we are creating Postcards from the Sea. These messages will carry encouragement from our community to people in another “port.” First, we will decide together where they should go.
2.Focus Group Choice
3.Announce Recipient
Read the confirmed recipient options slowly. Residents place an X next to three places they would most like the postcards to go.
Count choices with resident support. If there is a tie, invite a resident to draw from a small bowl or vote between tied choices.
I will read each option. You may place an X next to three choices, point to your choices, or tell us your choices and we can mark them for you.
Our group chose to send encouragement to _____. Our postcards will carry kindness from our community to theirs.
4.Choose Message
5.Create Postcards
Offer message strips and short poems. Read three or four options aloud before residents begin.
Invite residents to sign, decorate, dictate, choose a phrase, sort strips, count postcards, or place completed cards in the basket.
6.Count and Prepare Count completed postcards aloud with resident support. Place them in the basket or tray for delivery.
7.Deliver or Handoff
Residents deliver, mail, or hand the postcards to the selected organization or invited representative when possible.
You may write your own message, copy a phrase, choose a printed message, dictate your words, or ask someone to help write them.
There is no one right way to help. You can write, decorate, choose a message, sign your name, add a picture, or help collect the finished postcards.
Let's count how many messages are ready to set sail. Each postcard is a small act of kindness traveling beyond our community.
Our messages are sailing from one port to another. We hope they bring comfort, strength, and a reminder that someone is thinking of them.
8.Close Thank residents and name their contribution. Thank you for sending encouragement outward. Your choices, words, signatures, artwork, and care helped create connection beyond our community walls.
ROLES, ADAPTATIONS, AND FACILITATOR TIPS
Resident Roles
•Message reader
•Message “snipper” with assessed scissors use
•Postcard signer
•Postcard decorator
•Phrase sorter
•Postcard counter
•Basket helper
•Delivery helper
•Recipient announcer
Adaptations
•Provide phrase labels residents can copy or glue onto postcards.
•If writing is difficult, invite the resident to choose one phrase and place or glue it on the card.
•Accept initials, first names, selected words, symbols, artwork, stickers, or dictated messages.
•Allow participation through sorting, counting, choosing, pointing, decorating, signing, or delivering.
•Offer two or three message choices at a time.
Facilitator Tips
•Avoid making handwriting the only way to participate.
•Read message options aloud slowly.
•Name the purpose often: “These postcards will let someone know they are remembered.”
•Keep the tone warm, hopeful, and purposeful.
•Photograph hands, postcards, baskets, and handoff moments when policy allows.
•Use only general messages and do not include private information.
ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY CARE SUPPORT
Assisted Living Facilitation Memory Care Adaptations
Invite residents to help lead the focus group, read recipient options, write original messages, count votes, and discuss the meaning of encouragement. Offer open-ended questions such as, “When has a kind note helped you?” or “What makes a message feel hopeful?”
Use fewer recipient choices at one time, read options slowly, and allow pointing or nodding. Pre-place message strips on the table and offer two choices, such as “Ocean of kindness” or “Hope is your anchor.” Keep the group shorter when needed and validate emotional responses to kindness, loneliness, home, or connection.
WHERE SHOULD OUR POSTCARDS SAIL?
Please place an X next to the THREE places where you would most like to send encouragement.
Hospice or Palliative Care Program Veterans Organization
Children’s Hospital or Pediatric Unit
Home-Delivered Meals Program
Senior Center or Adult Day Program
Family Shelter or Transitional Housing
Rehabilitation Center
Long-Term Care Community
Other Organization:
Dialysis or Cancer Treatment Program
Nonprofit Serving Isolated Adults
MESSAGE STRIPS AND ENCOURAGEMENT PHRASES
Cut apart for residents to choose, copy, or glue onto postcards.
Sending you an ocean of kindness. Wishing you calm seas and brighter days. You are not sailing alone. May hope be your anchor.
Warm wishes are sailing your way.
Thinking of you from our community.
One kind message can travel a long way. May today bring you a moment of peace.
Wishing you strength for the journey ahead. You are remembered and cared about.
A little encouragement is heading your way.
May you find safe harbor in the kindness around you.
SHORT ENCOURAGEMENT POEMS
Across the Water
Across the water, near or far, Kind thoughts can travel where you are.
A simple note, a caring line, To bring a little warmth and shine.
Hope Is an Anchor
When waves are high and days feel long, May hope hold steady, calm, and strong. This message comes across the blue, With gentle thoughts and care for you.
A
Message Sets Sail A message sets its course today, With kindest wishes on the way. From our community to yours, May brighter moments reach your shores.
PRINTABLE SEA-INSPIRED POSTCARD
Message:
An Ocean of Kindness
Waves of kindness are sailing your way.
From:
PRINTABLE SEA-INSPIRED POSTCARD
Message:
Hope Is Your Anchor
May hope hold you steady today.
From:
Message:
Warm Wishes Are Sailing Your Way
Thinking of you from our community.
From:
PRINTABLE SEA-INSPIRED POSTCARD
Message:
Brighter Days Ahead
Wishing you calm seas and brighter days.
From:
MESSAGES FROM OUR PORT
Our residents created these postcards to send encouragement from our community to yours.
They chose messages of kindness because everyone deserves to feel remembered, supported, and connected.
Please share these postcards with people who may appreciate a warm wish.
Community:
With care from our community.
PHOTO, STORYTELLING, AND COMMUNITY SHARING
Moment
Choice Moment
Creation Moment
Connection Moment
Delivery Moment
What to Capture and Share
Capture residents placing an X on the focus group page. Highlight Autonomy and Belonging as residents choose where their encouragement will go.
Capture hands choosing message strips, poems, postcard designs, pens, or art materials. Highlight Roles and Nurtured Strengths as residents use familiar abilities to create something meaningful.
Capture completed postcards gathered in a basket or tray. Highlight Contribution and Hope as encouragement moves from the group into the wider community.
Capture the postcard handoff, mailing, or representative visit when possible. Highlight Belonging and Contribution as residents send kindness beyond the community walls.
SHARING LANGUAGE FOR FAMILIES, TOURS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Residents sent encouragement from one “port” to another today. They chose where the postcards would go, selected messages that felt meaningful, and helped create sea-inspired notes that will travel beyond the activity room. This is BRANCH in action: belonging, roles, choice, strengths, contribution, and hope all showing up in one simple, joyful service project.
Short caption: Residents helped send kindness outward today through Postcards from the Sea. Together, they chose a recipient, created messages, and shared hope with people beyond our community walls.