As part of the I-LEAD program, students from across the world have engaged in a letter-writing activity to spread joy and solidarity through their newly forged international network. Through the Holiday letters: cross-border friendships in times of social distancing! activity I-LEADers will send each other letters of encouragement and friendship while they also explore and engages with issues which they are passionate about and work on their leadership skills. 

“We are all feeling isolated and we thought the physicality of the letters might help cheer everyone up and create a community,” explained Ana Karen Barragan, one of the creators of the I-LEAD program about the inception of this activity.  But after some brainstorming, what started as a letter exchange between participants grew bigger. “we thought it was a great idea to expand our reach, and ask I-LEADers to engage with organizations that have pen-pal programs such as ALAS migrant letter program, or the JRS postcards of hope” added Maria Autrey, the other I-LEAD creator “we also know that letter writing is a talent all leaders must have in their toolkit, and younger generations get fewer opportunities to write them”.

“I am excited to think I might have a positive impact in someone’s life,” said Angelica, an I-LEAD participant from Ecuador. “I think this activity is amazing, I’ve never done anything like this before,” added Paavani Lella a USF Biology major.

The Arrupe Initiatives team wanted to extend an invitation to the University of San Francisco community to join in our holiday activity and write a message of love, support, and solidarity to someone currently in need it. They have compiled a list of organizations that are looking for volunteers to write letters (please note that some organizations have strict rules and guidelines for the letters.)

Migrants, Refugees, and Prisons:

• Letters to Refugees JRS
• Ayudando a Latinos a Soñar: We work closely with ALAS which has an ongoing letter-writing campaign for migrants at the US-Mexico border. They ask for simple encouraging messages in any presentation, but ideally postcards. Send your cards to P.O Box 961 el Granada, CA 94608 
• SWOP: Incarcerated Sex Workers.
• Queer detainee empowerment project.

Elder, Kids, and LGBTQ:

• Love for our Elders.
• Sunshine Snail Mail.

Frontline workers:

• Get in touch with your local hospitals and write/email directly to them.
• Send a Message to Our Health Care Workers at UCSF

The I-LEAD Program (which stands for Ignatian Leaders Engaging in Action and Discernment),  launched on October 28th, with the first cohort of 20 students from 10 higher education Jesuit institutions across 6 countries.

The I-LEAD program is the first of its kind, hosted by the University Ministry at the University of San Francisco and offered to undergraduate students through the Global Jesuit Network, it’s mission is to form conscious, critical, competent, compassionate, and committed leaders, based on Ignatian spirituality and pedagogy, staying true to USF commitment of engaging in mutual and respectful collaboration with our international partners.

During their first meeting, the I-LEADers introduced themselves and explored their preoccupations and passions providing a broad perspective and creativity needed for the creation of a more humane and just world. The topics of interest of these young leaders varied from gender and equality to housing dignity and citizenship apathy, which they will continue to explore throughout the program.

The I-LEAD wouldn’t be possible without the long history of collaboration that the Arrupe Initiatives office (before the Arrupe Immersions) has with Jesuit institutions around the world, fostering meaningful partnerships that encourage the international engagement of faculty, librarians, staff, students, and alumni.