Evidence-Based
Our 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.
These evaluations provided an evidence-based framework for our model with the number one outcome being “a greater sense of purpose” for our student participants.
These evaluations provided an evidence-based framework for our model with the number one outcome being “a greater sense of purpose” for our student participants.
Program Benefits
Quantitative findings from these two USC studies showed:
Research Studies
Results of our one-year study funded by the National Endowment for the Arts showed that Sages & Seekers intergenerational storytelling intervention increased adolescents’ reported sense of social connectedness, psychological wellbeing, and purpose-in- life, and especially so for participants with the lowest initial levels. Moreover, adolescents’ changing abilities to conceptualize their future goals in terms of ethical and relational values, instead of hedonistic or pragmatic motives, mediated the increases in reported purpose-in-life. Older adult participants showed increased generativity and working memory performance.
For the Templeton Foundation study, the overarching empirical aims of this project were to investigate the developmental trajectories of youths’ meaning-making across the intervention, and to probe the effects of meaning-making on changes in virtues, purpose, spirituality, civic participation and stress regulation. Participants reported self-transcendent purpose scores, wisdom scores, hope and gratitude scores increased from pre- to post- intervention.
USC STUDY RESULTS
For the Templeton Foundation study, the overarching empirical aims of this project were to investigate the developmental trajectories of youths’ meaning-making across the intervention, and to probe the effects of meaning-making on changes in virtues, purpose, spirituality, civic participation and stress regulation. Participants reported self-transcendent purpose scores, wisdom scores, hope and gratitude scores increased from pre- to post- intervention.
USC STUDY RESULTS
Testimonies
College ResearchersUniversity of Southern California professor Dr. Mary Helen Immordino- Yang conducted both studies of our program. Here she talks about the efficacy of Sages & Seekers.
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EducatorsListen to what high school teachers and university professors have to say about utilizing our programs in their academic curriculum and the profound benefits to their students.
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ParticipantsOur participants share their experience and feelings about the impact of our programs and the resulting benefits of authentic conversation with another generation.
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Tributes
These featured relationships exemplify the power of the Sages & Seekers program, demonstrating that two generations, decades (and sometimes continents!) apart can find commonality and develop a meaningful relationship. Sages & Seekers has launched many friendships that have transcended age, geographic, and socio-economic boundaries.
Ruth & JuliaJulia and Ruth met at the in-person program at Larchmont Charter High School in Los Angeles. Read Julia's tribute to Ruth here.
Andie & ValenValen, a Seeker in Argentina, and Andie, a Sage in New York City, have developed such a special friendship that they have done Sages & Seekers online as partners 3 times. Read one of Valen's tributes here.
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Gary & HeavenGary and Heaven were paired together as a Sage and Seeker at Pali High in Pacific Palisades, CA. Read Heaven's tribute to Gary here.
Jennifer & JonathanJennifer and Jonathan met in our online program in Winter 2022. Read Jonathan's tribute to Jennifer here.
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