Blog archive
May 2024
Freezing for a Good Cause – Credit, That Is
05/02/2024
No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024
An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024
Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024
Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month 2024
05/01/2024
The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024
Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024
April 2024
Rumor of Humor #2410
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2411
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2412
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2413
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2414
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2415
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2416
04/28/2024
Stimulated by "Caste"
04/22/2024
Tulsa reparations, Religion and Politics
04/09/2024
March 2024
Trumps War with Black Women
03/31/2024
Addressing The Needs of Older Adults Through Pasadena Village
03/25/2024
Coming Soon: More Resources for Older Americans, Online and in Person
03/25/2024
Community Building Locally and Nationally
03/25/2024
Preparing for the Future with Ready or Not
03/25/2024
Volunteering is at The Heart of the Village
03/25/2024
Women's Liberation: Then and Now
03/25/2024
Writing Memoirs Together
03/25/2024
Current Views on Current Events
03/20/2024
Unchained
03/18/2024
Rumr of Humor issue # 2409
03/10/2024
Blacks Portrayed by European Artists
03/03/2024
Rumor of Humor #2408
03/03/2024
February 2024
Caring for Ourselves and Each Other
02/27/2024
Doug Colliflower Honored
02/27/2024
Great Decisions Connects Us to the Worldwide Community
02/27/2024
Letter from the President
02/27/2024
Pasadena Village's Impact
02/27/2024
The Power of Touch
02/27/2024
Villages as a New Approach to Aging
02/27/2024
Addressing Gang Violence in Pasadena-Altadena
02/21/2024
Rumor of Humor Issue 2407
02/19/2024
Thank You For Caring.
02/12/2024
Rumor of Humor 2405
02/11/2024
Curve Balls
02/10/2024
Sylvan Lane
02/10/2024
Rumor of Humor 2404
02/09/2024
Larry Duplechan, Blacks in Film
02/03/2024
January 2024
Pasadena Village Joins Community Partners in Vaccination Campaign
01/29/2024
Rumor of Humor #2403
01/28/2024
Pasadena Village Joins Two Healthy Aging Resource Projects
01/25/2024
Decluttering: Do It Now
01/24/2024
Village Volunteers Contribute to the Huntington Magic
01/24/2024
Villagers Creating Community
01/24/2024
Villagers Reflect on Black History Month
01/24/2024
Walk With Ease, 2024
01/24/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2402
01/21/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2401
01/15/2024
Re- Entry Programs, a Personal Experience
01/08/2024
Sages and Seekers: Create Intergenerational Connections
By Sue AddelsonPosted: 11/27/2023
“It’s fun.” “It opens your mind.” “I feel like I contributed something.” “I learned as much from them as they did from me.” “It touched my heart.” “I would do it again.”
These are just some of the reactions Pasadena Villagers had after participating in Sages and Seekers, an intergenerational program that brings seniors and high schoolers together to learn about one another and break down stereotypes.
It’s also designed to combat isolation—something both generations experience at a high rate—and ageism.
“The learning and sharing goes both ways. Both generations leave with a greater appreciation of the other,” explained Los Angeles Program Director Rachel Shader. “I’ve heard from many Sages that our program gives them a sense of relevance and purpose. They see what they have brought to this world through the eyes of a teenager.”
Pasadena Villagers are invited to participate in the next session of Sages and Seekers that starts in January. (Read program details at the end of this article.)
What’s in it for the Sages?
According to past participants there are a number of reasons to volunteer as a Sage and very few reasons not to.
“Since I don’t have constant contact with anyone in that age group, it’s a fantastic way to get in touch with their hopes and dreams. Sometimes they’re listening and sometimes you’re listening. I learned as much from them as they did from me. It touched my heart,” said Bonnie Armstrong.
It also opens hearts. Karen Bagnard loves kids. When her grandson moved out of her house and went to college she missed having kids in her life. “Then this came up,” she recalled. “The first student I was paired with was into soccer. He was from Guatemala. I thought we’d have nothing in common, but we talked about everything. I reminded him of his grandmother in Guatemala and he reminded me of my grandson. He was darling, and I fell in love with him.”
Dick Myers participated multiple times, both in-person and on Zoom. One of his students was a high school junior interested in studying neurology or neuroscience at Brown University. Dick was able to connect her with the head of the neurology department at the University of Texas, who she was able to interview. “I found the whole experience rewarding and interesting and enjoyed visiting and meeting with the students and learning about their lives and views about their education and hopes for the future. I also found it interesting to learn about the other Sages from the contact that we had during the sessions,” Dick said.
What’s in it for the Seekers?
Students get school credit for participating in the program, which is probably the main reason they sign up. At the end of eight weeks, though, it’s apparent they got a lot more out of it than just class credit. In very “from the heart” letters to their Sages, Seekers open up about the value of the program.
“You helped me learn about myself, reflect on my values and my decisions,” said one. “It was comforting in ways you can’t imagine as a young adult to be able to talk about my feelings with an adult who has seen similar turmoil before and come out the other side just fine,” said another. And, “You have a magical ability to put everything in perspective and remind me life is too short to waste on insignificant concerns,” echoed a third.
Some Sages have an even greater impact. “Talking to you every Thursday has been the highlight of my week. Honestly, it’s been the only reason I’ve come to school,” one Seeker reported.
Program details
The in-person program at the Waverly School in Pasadena consists of eight 75-minute meetups every Tuesday afternoon. Alternatively, Pasadena Villagers can participate in the program that will start at Larchmont Charter School–Lafayette Park in Los Angeles.
For those who prefer the comfort of home, there is also an online Zoom program that’s just as meaningful as the in-person program for both Sages and Seekers.
At the first session, Sages (that’s us!) and Seekers meet each other in a speed-dating type activity. The Seekers rank their top three choices for Sages, and at the second meeting they are paired up. No worries that you won’t get chosen. Everyone gets matched.
Learn more or enroll: www.sagesandseekers.org/enroll