Press Release

WINONA LAKE — A Grace College graduate has created a new organization to help children across the country send and receive encouragement through “The Persistence Challenge.”

Anna Steely, the organization’s director and founder, graduated from Grace College in May. Through “The Persistence Challenge,” Steely hopes that children will develop a long-distance friendship through this snail-mail program.

“In a world full of instant messaging, it’s an especially exciting event to open a physical piece of mail sent directly to you from a friend,” said Steely. “Let’s help kids experience this joy and excitement, while developing their writing skills and making new friends.”

“The Persistence Challenge” connects children across the country and enables them to share encouraging letters. The program requires participants (termed “pals”) to write a minimum of one encouraging letter each calendar month, for a period of 12 months. Children are welcome to send letters, postcards, or greeting cards, as long as the piece of mail has an encouraging message in it.

Encouragement from the heart does not have to be long and eloquent to make a difference. Short, sweet notes are welcome, as well as longer letters. To sign up, go to The Persistence Challenge website and fill out a simple form. If you are a parent/guardian signing your child up, please ask your child’s permission first. If you are a child signing yourself up, please ask your parent/guardian’s permission first.

Children will then be matched and can begin writing encouragement to each other. Participant information is collected only for the purpose of matching one child with another and will not be shared with anyone else. Only a name and address will be shared with the pal, and program guidelines are listed on the organization’s website. The only forms of communication endorsed by The Persistence Challenge are friendly, positive, encouraging letters, postcards, or greeting cards.

If you have any questions about the program, email [email protected].