When the seniors living at Clare of Assisi (in Westminster, Colorado) heard that their community was going to be transferred from Franciscan Ministries to Mercy Housing, a resident suggested that they begin folding origami paper cranes.

Why? Because of a Japanese legend that says that if you fold 1,000 origami paper cranes, any wish you have will come true. The residents of Clare of Assisi wished for the transition of their beloved community to go smoothly.

Over the ensuing months, the residents folded crane after crane after crane, slowly filling up their common room with their delicate, colorful creations.

Once they had completed 1,000 cranes, a local priest came out to the community to bless the cranes for the residents.

The residents’ wish came true: the transfer went smoothly!

The residents are still making cranes, and the community is filling up with colorful strings of paper birds. The residents have even started to sell their cranes, and are using the proceeds to continue creating cranes as a community while spreading good wishes to others.