Join "Dear Stranger"
Dear Stranger is a letter-exchange project that connects Nebraskans through the mail to share experiences, beliefs, and ideas, modeled after a program by the same name at Oregon Humanities.
Dear Stranger encourages people to reflect on their experiences and beliefs and make new connections by writing letters to strangers: write a letter, get a letter, and make a new connection. “Dear Stranger” is designed to allow anyone, of any age, to participate, and to do so anonymously should they choose. We also ask participants to complete the 2021 Dear Stranger Participation Form, indicating their understanding that Humanities Nebraska is not responsible for the content of letters and that, if they are age 18 or younger, they have a parent or guardian’s permission to participate.
The current round deadline is February 15, 2022.
Prompt for Winter 2021/22
If you find it helpful, feel free to use this optional prompt as you compose your letter.
There’s been a lot of talk about weather and climate this past year. Share a story about a time when weather impacted you. With a global focus on climate change, how are you feeling about what it might mean for Nebraskans?
If you have questions about Dear Stranger, please send email.
- 2022 Dear Stranger Participation Form
- 2022 Dear Stranger Flyer
- Dear Stranger Printable Bookmarks to share with friends, clubs, etc.
- “Sending Snail Mail Provides Meaningful Way to Connect”
- NY Times Article on Snail Mail during Pandemic
We want to know what you think about “Dear Stranger”.
How did it feel to write your letter, and to receive a letter in response? Did you learn anything about yourself while writing your letter? There are many ways to let us know:
- Send us an email.
- Post a photo of you and your letter on Instagram and tag it @HumanitiesNE and #NEDearStranger
- You can also post the photo on Facebook (facebook.com/nebraskahumanities) or Twitter (@HumanitiesNE)
"Dear Stranger" is sponsored in part by:
Sponsorship Opportunities
While this is a relatively inexpensive program for HN to run, there are costs related to postage, promotional materials and staff time. HN seeks individuals and organizations to become sponsors ranging from $250 to $1,000. Benefits of sponsorship include visibility in promotional materials (ie. press releases, eblasts), recognition on the HN website, and in our statewide outreach to media outlets, libraries, and literary organizations and other organizations. Sponsors may also remain anonymous if they choose. For sponsorship questions, please email Heather Thomas.
