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Hello by Hand
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Hello by Hand
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Twenty minutes. One handmade card.
Stories

The moment,
captured.

What it looks like when strangers show up for one another, in residents' own words, plus a few from the volunteers and ambassadors making it happen.

Margaret, a resident, holding a handmade card
Six stories, one movement

From residents, volunteers & ambassadors.

Got a story to share? hbh@artlyworld.org

Miranda from ATX Book Swap at a Hello by Hand card-making session
Volunteer · ATX Book Swap

A simple card can do exactly that, let them know they are valuable.

Miranda, ATX Book Swap

“I found this organization at the Mueller Farmers Market one Sunday and just loved everything that they do. I run the ATX Book Swap, and one of the activities that we did was to have people attending actually make cards. There were about 30 made by people from all different ages and different backgrounds here, part of the Austin community, wanting to find another way to be part of the community and give back.

One of my favorite quotes is, ‘If you want a village, you need to be a villager.’ These people are part of our community, and they need to know that they are valuable, we think about them, and we care about them. Thank you for putting this all together because this is super important and I love this work.”

A mother and daughter making cards at the St. Elmo pop-up event
Volunteer · St. Elmo Pop-Up Event

We left everything outside of ourselves to sit down and have a peaceful moment to think about somebody else.

Mother and daughter, St. Elmo Pop-Up

“We entered the space for dinner with our family and then encountered this beautiful cardmaking initiative. For a moment, we left everything outside of ourselves to sit down and think about somebody else. It gave us a moment of introspection and peace, and we are grateful for that opportunity.

We consider ourselves caring connectors, and it’s important to connect with community, family, and people we don’t know. Even sitting down for a minute to make a card can really change someone’s day.”

Bailey at the Texas Farmers Market Hello by Hand pop-up event
Volunteer · Texas Farmers Market Pop-Up

By writing a simple card, we can foster community and make someone feel loved and important.

Bailey, Texas Farmers Market

“I drew a picture that’s supposed to look like a lake I really love, Lake Austin. That’s just a really peaceful, happy place to me, and so I wanted to share that with whoever’s getting this card. I wrote, ‘I hope you’re having a beautiful day, and I hope you know that you are loved.’

I think this program is important because even though you don’t know this person, they are a beautiful person with value and dignity. I think it’s really cool that we, just by writing a simple card, can foster community and make someone feel loved and important, because they are.”

Emma and Ari making cards together at the Texas Farmers Market pop-up
Volunteer · Texas Farmers Market Pop-Up

I love that we're using art to connect with people and remember those who have lived a lot of life.

Emma and Ari, Texas Farmers Market

“I drew a sage because whenever we meet a senior, we learn a lot from them. These are people who have lived a lot of life and done a lot of amazing things, and remembering that is important. We want to say a special thank you for sharing all that wonderful wisdom and setting up the future for us. Your words are being heard and we’re going to be a better people for it at the end of the day.

Overall, I love that we’re using art to connect with people. Whether that is what this card is giving to someone or taking a moment at this table to be able to draw together, it’s pretty cool.”

A participant making cards at the Austin Public Library Hello by Hand pop-up
Volunteer · Austin Public Library Pop-Up

I am so grateful that I'm able to express love to another person through this card.

Participant, Austin Public Library

“I felt so much empathy when I found out about this movement. I just wanted to come write my best wishes and try to express how grateful I am that I’m able to express love to another person through this card. I really hope when that person reads it, he has a smile on his face and maybe a good evening, too. I am excited; it was an exciting activity and very thoughtful.”

Linda, a resident at an Austin nursing home, receiving a handmade card on Christmas Eve
Resident · Austin nursing home

That's exactly what I needed to hear right now.

Linda, Austin nursing home resident

We arrived at her facility on Christmas Eve with handmade cards and treat-filled stockings for all the residents. When we bumped into Linda in the hallway and offered her a stocking and a card, she kind of scoffed at it, telling us she already had enough candy and didn’t need anything else to take up space in her room. But I told her the card was handmade by a member of the Austin community, and suggested we just read it together.

This sweet card had a picture of Winnie the Pooh in a Santa hat on the front. Inside, there was a heartfelt handwritten message wishing the recipient all the happy thoughts for the holidays. At the end of the note, the cardmaker had written: “Never forget there are people around you who care about you. You’ve accomplished great things and your hard work gave you a great life, so don’t live with regrets. Stay happy and sweet like honey.”

After we read the card, I looked up to see Linda sitting silently in her wheelchair, blinking back tears and still trying to hold onto the stubbornness she had exhibited earlier. She finally looked at me and said, “You know, actually that was exactly what I needed to hear right now.”

The pattern, in numbers

92% of residents say a single card
made them feel seen.

Twelve facility surveys, 2025, across nursing homes, memory care units, and long-term care.

Add your story to the next batch

Twenty minutes.
One handmade card.
Someone's whole week, made.

Make a card → See the photo archive
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