Empowering Youth, Honoring Seniors, and Building Community
Sages & Seekers offers intergenerational collaboration between older adults (60+), the Sages, and students (15-24), the Seekers. During our programs, Sages have an opportunity to share their life experiences with an interested listener, engaging them in life review and generativity. Seekers have a nonjudgmental listener they can talk to about what is happening in their lives while also gaining listening, interviewing, writing and public speaking skills. Our curriculum fosters open communication and creates forums in which to discover commonalities between generations. This shattering of stereotypes helps to diminish ageism.
Online and In-Person Programs
Sages & Seekers runs a variety of online and in-person programs. Our Signature and Cross-Generational Problem Solving Programs are 8-weeks long, and new sessions begin in September, January an April. To see our schedule of current or upcoming programs, check out our enrollment page.
Below you will find more information about each of our program types. All programs are offered online as well as in-person in the Los Angeles area. If you live outside of the LA area, an in-person program may be available through one of our licensed partners.
Below you will find more information about each of our program types. All programs are offered online as well as in-person in the Los Angeles area. If you live outside of the LA area, an in-person program may be available through one of our licensed partners.
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8-Week Signature Program
Our award-winning, 8-Week Signature Program is offered online on Zoom or in-person at a high school, senior center, or other facility. This is a 75-minute weekly program (60 minutes for online programs) with group interaction as well as one-on-one time. The program begins with a series of fun and thought-provoking discussion questions designed to break the ice and assist participants in getting to know each other’s worlds. During the 1st or 2nd session, the Seekers choose their Sage partner through a “speed dating” rotation process. Teens interact with other seniors through breakout activities, but remain primarily with their matched Sage throughout the program.
During the remaining weeks, each Sage & Seeker pair engages in meaningful conversations about their lives. The program facilitator provides suggested discussion questions each week around a particular topic, such as happiness, curiosity, belonging or honesty. Each pair may choose to discuss those topics during their one-on-one time, but the questions are optional. Pairs are free to discuss whatever they want about their lives as one important goal of the program is for Seekers to learn how to engage in an organic, authentic conversation.
The weeks of discussion sessions culminate in a tribute written by each Seeker, which they read out loud in front of the group. In these tributes, or reflections, Seekers talk about the impact their Sage had on their life— the life lessons and advice they gleaned from their conversations. Finally, the 8th debriefing session brings closure to the experience.
Because each week builds on the week before, participants must commit to all eight weeks.
Pop-Up Workshop
This 2-hour or 2-day workshop is for facilities interested in a condensed version of our 8- Week Signature Program. First, students and adults will convene in a group where they get to know one another through ice breaker questions designed to break down stereotypes they have of one another. Following this community building block, each student will meet 1:1 with a Sage. The facilitator will provide the pairings with topics and specific questions that they can discuss. At the end, each student will write a short paragraph, a “reflection”, about the life lessons they learned from their Sage. The student will present their reflection out loud in front of the class. |
Cross-Generational Problem Solving
Cognitive diversity is key to solving global crises. Younger minds tend to be quicker and more focused, while the older brain is more methodical and holistic. Sages & Seekers brings generations together to start the process of problem-solving through authentic conversation and connection. During the first 4 weeks of this 8-week program, students are paired with an older adult and discuss their lives as they would during our signature program. For the second 4 weeks, Sages and Seekers participant in 1:1, small group, and large group discussions around a societal issue—climate change, homelessness, or systemic ageism. Participants design a plan of action that will motivate and inspire all of us to make a modest change in our own behavior. |
Sage Salons
Our Salons were born out of the desire for Sages to continue to meet following their participation in our 8-Week Program. The Salons offer Sages the opportunity to stay connected with other older adults who are interested in engaging in meaningful conversation. Salons may be comprised of Sages from one or multiple sessions. They are lead by a Salon Leader—a Sage volunteer who organizes meetings & leads discussions. They can be held online or in-person and meet weekly, biweekly or monthly, depending on the preferences and schedules of the participants. Several of our salons have met every week for 2 years & counting! |
Licensing Our Program
Our 8-week Program Manual & Training is available to license for your community use. A one-time fee allows you to produce our evidence-based SEL program as many times as needed for years to come. Our detailed manual takes you step-by-step from recruiting the participants, facilitating the 8-week program, and managing any dropout or enrollment problems. When purchasing our manual, you also receive several hours of free consultations with Sages & Seekers staff. If you are interested in licensing our manual, please contact Rachel Shader, Program Director, at [email protected].
We have licensed our 8-week program to schools, universities, senior facilities, and libraries across the country, including:
We have licensed our 8-week program to schools, universities, senior facilities, and libraries across the country, including:
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Senior Facilities
Brandeis Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Cal State University San Bernardino OLLI Connections Volunteer Center Duxbury Council on Aging ONEgeneration Senior Enrichment Center University of Dayton OLLI Vanderbilt University OLLI Windy Hill Senior Center |
Schools
Connecticut College International School of Boston Keefe Technical School Lake Champlain Waldorf School Natick High School The Rivers School R.W. Traip Academy High School Wayland High School |
Libraries
Denver Library Marshall Library Park City Library |
For Senior Facilities
Both teens and older adults are searching for meaning and relevance in life and facing issues around independence and self-determination. These two generations are also confronting social isolation and loneliness, a public health crisis that grew significantly during the pandemic. Social isolation, loneliness and ageism are not just mental health issues but also physical ones. According to a meta-analysis, a lack of social connection heightens health risks as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. * The US Surgeon General recently brought attention to this public health crisis, detailing in his report the physical consequences of social isolation and loneliness:
The physical health consequences of poor or insufficient connection include a 29% increased risk of heart disease, a 32% increased risk of stroke, and a 50% increased risk of developing dementia for older adults. Additionally, lacking social connection increases risk of premature death by more than 60%.
Intergenerational programming, like Sages & Seekers, provides seniors an alternative to isolation: a sense of purpose and a connection to the larger picture of society and the world.
The physical health consequences of poor or insufficient connection include a 29% increased risk of heart disease, a 32% increased risk of stroke, and a 50% increased risk of developing dementia for older adults. Additionally, lacking social connection increases risk of premature death by more than 60%.
Intergenerational programming, like Sages & Seekers, provides seniors an alternative to isolation: a sense of purpose and a connection to the larger picture of society and the world.
Why bring Sages & Seekers to your community?Our programs are unique as we offer both community and one-on-one connection. Older adults in our program:
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Sages & Seekers has partnered with numerous organizations and facilities servicing seniors, including senior centers, lifelong learning programs, libraries, and senior villages. We can help you bring Sages & Seekers to your community members, in-person at your facility, partnering with a nearby school or online.
* Generations United “Making the Case for Intergen. Programs”- Levy, B. R., Slade, M. D., Chang, E. S., Kannoth, S., & Wang, S.Y. (2020). Ageism amplifies cost & prevalence of health conditions. The Gerontologist, 60(1), 174-181. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gny131
** Generations United and The Eisner Foundation (2018). All in together: Creating places where young and old thrive.
** Generations United and The Eisner Foundation (2018). All in together: Creating places where young and old thrive.
FAQ
What makes the Sages & Seekers SEL program so effective?
Sages & Seekers Programs are designed specifically to address the teen brain and development. This is best described by Dr. David Yeager: “Typical SEL programs, which directly teach adolescents skills and invite them to rehearse those skills over the course of many classroom lessons, have a very poor track record with middle adolescents—roughly age 14 to 17. Programs for adolescents are sometimes simply aged-up versions of childhood programs— for instance, they communicate the same message, but now the character doing the talking has a skateboard and a chain wallet. Such programs often fail to capture adolescents’ attention, both in what they say and how they say it. The evidence is clear: we can’t rely on an elementary-level, classroom- based, social-skill-training program revamped for middle adolescents.” David S. Yeager, “Social-Emotional Learning Programs for Adolescents.”
Our award-winning evidence-based program has been studied twice by University of Southern California professor Dr. Mary Helen Immordino Yang. The first study was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2017. The second study in 2019, was funded by the Templeton Foundation. Quantitative findings showed increases in:
Dr. Immordino Yang talks about the importance of designing SEL programs specifically for teens as well as the effectiveness of Sages & Seekers here.
Our award-winning evidence-based program has been studied twice by University of Southern California professor Dr. Mary Helen Immordino Yang. The first study was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2017. The second study in 2019, was funded by the Templeton Foundation. Quantitative findings showed increases in:
- purpose-in-life
- interest in civic engagement
- social-emotional skills
- reflection on core values
- higher well-being
Dr. Immordino Yang talks about the importance of designing SEL programs specifically for teens as well as the effectiveness of Sages & Seekers here.
How are Sages & Seekers programs implemented in high schools, and how can I bring it to my school?
Sages & Seekers programs are designed to fit easily into a school semester, which is why they are 8 weeks long. Many schools utilize our programs in their academic curriculum, integrating it into an English, History or Humanities class. Other high schools have offered Sages & Seekers as part of an after-school program or club. We offer 10 hours of community service credit to students who enroll and complete all aspects of the 8-week program.
If your school is based in the Los Angeles area, we may be able to conduct an in-person program at your school location. Our staff will work with you to help organize the program and provide a facilitator for all class sessions. If you are based outside of the Los Angeles area, you can purchase our training manual, which gives you step-by-step instructions for setting up a Sages & Seekers program at your school.
If your school is based in the Los Angeles area, we may be able to conduct an in-person program at your school location. Our staff will work with you to help organize the program and provide a facilitator for all class sessions. If you are based outside of the Los Angeles area, you can purchase our training manual, which gives you step-by-step instructions for setting up a Sages & Seekers program at your school.
How are teens and seniors matched up in the program?
The Sages and Seekers get to know one another during the first two weeks of our program. During the first week, the full group participates in ice breakers and discussions. The second week, Sages and Seekers participate in a “speed dating” activity. Every Seeker has the opportunity to meet 1:1 with every Sage. After that session, the Seekers choose their Sage for the rest of the program.
I am interested in being a Sage, but I am afraid I won't get chosen by a Seeker.
Every Jack has his Jill! Yes, this is a phrase that often applies to romantic relationships, but the same theory applies to the matching process in our program—there is someone for everyone. With a diverse group of participants, every Sage is always chosen. Some of our most successful pairings have been the most unpredictable at the start of the program!
If I have a commitment for 1 week out of the 8 week program, can I still participate?
Enrolling in one of our 8 week programs requires that you commit to being present for all the weekly meetings because you will be paired one-on-one with someone from another generation. If you are absent, they have no partner! That said, if you only have to miss one week and you communicate that absence in advance to your partner and the Sages & Seekers staff, we may be able to find a mutually agreed upon time when you can make up that session with your partner. For example, if you will be absent during your scheduled Monday zoom session and you & your partner are available on Wednesday that week, you can attend one of the Wednesday Zooms for just that week.
Are your online programs as impactful as in-person ones?
Sages & Seekers was started with the intention to get Seekers off their devices and learn to make an authentic connection with another person in real life, face-to-face. That said, the pandemic has taught all of us that while in-person connections are the most beneficial, we can still develop meaningful relationships with people online IF the appropriate environment is created. Sages & Seekers ran over 60 Zoom programs during the pandemic, so we have learned how to successfully implement our program online. We witnessed so many close relationships develop between Sages and Seekers, and a sense of community was still felt by our Zoom participants. We also discovered the benefit of holding online programs is we can connect people from all over the world.
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“Conversation is the most human activity we do.
It is a cornerstone for empathy.” |