The fledgling Cursive Academy is now offering classes for senior citizens and people with special needs under a partnership with Travail With Us, a community-based nonprofit.
Travail With Us established an adult day center last year after initially offering a CNA, or certified nursing assistant, certification program and a transportation program.
The Cursive Academy’s workshops are designed to strengthen motor and memory skills. The course produced an environment where participants can interact with one another to stimulate social adaptation, according to its founders.
“No sooner than I wrote the first cursive letter on the chalkboard, I felt a strong connection with the participants,” said Cursive Academy founder Terrell Whittington.
“This is an opportunity of a lifetime, and I can’t wait to see these participants excel and add more students to the program.”
The course began Feb. 16 with 15 students.
“The energy in the room is incredible,” said Travail With Us Founder and CEO Alfreida Robins.
“Some partially remember their cursive skills, but it’s really about stimulating their motor and memory skills while having a good time learning or relearning handwriting.”
The workshop lasts three days and includes three 90-minute sessions of instruction, supplies (workbooks, notebooks, worksheets) and a graduation ceremony on the final day. Whittington will return for another workshop in March.
In addition, Whittington has enlisted the assistance of several retired teachers who are training in preparation to facilitate Cursive camps as the program ramps up for spring and summer.
A graduation ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 20, at Travail With Us, 5429 Broadway in Merrillville, where participants will be awarded certificates of completion.
This ceremony will boost the number of graduates to over 100.
“The goals are for them to be able to sign their names and to have fun while learning,” added Whittington.
Cursive Academy, founded by husband and wife Terrell and Chelsea Whittington, earned its nonprofit status in November 2025 and partners with organizations, companies and individuals to resurrect the art of penmanship.
The graduation will be livestreamed on the Cursive Academy Facebook page.
For more information about Cursive Academy or to book a workshop, visit the Facebook page or email Chelsea@CWHITT.biz
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/17/cursive-academy-expands-to-reach-seniors-disabled/
