What Is the Sages and Seekers Program?
Park City Library, in partnership with the Live Like Sam Foundation, is proud to bring the Sages & Seekers Program to the Park City Area and Summit County communities. Sages and Seekers is an intergenerational storytelling program that pairs teens ages 14-19 (Seekers) with older adults ages 60+ (Sages) to have honest and authentic conversations. Through this unique initiative, both generations create genuine connections and learn from each other. Meeting once a week for two hours, over the span of eight weeks, these pairs share experiences, insights, and stories that bridge the gap between age groups.
Teens in this program can apply their time toward volunteer requirements for groups such as the National Honors Society.
There are eight weekly meetings and attendance at all meetings is required. The program will be held on the following Mondays from 3:30-5pm on 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20. Registration is now full for Class One (Spring 2024 class). If would like information for future classes, please fill out this Interest Form.
More videos to understand this new program can be viewed here.
Objectives
The Sages and Seekers program aims to foster interpersonal empathy and diminish social isolation and ageism, while helping both teens and older adults find meaning and purpose in their lives. This program addresses the concerns for two generations at once by providing teens and older adults with an alternative to isolation and loneliness: a sense of purpose and a connection to the larger picture of society and the world. This is achieved by creating a sense of connectivity in the program, through fulfilling conversation and storytelling.
Impact
Studies illuminating the effects of this program reveal a multitude of benefits. It has been shown that the program increases both participants’ sense of social connectedness, psychological well-being, social-emotional skills, and purpose-in-life. Adolescents enhance their interviewing, listening, writing, and public-speaking skills. They are given the chance to create positive change in the future through being stronger and better-informed leaders. Older adults show increased working memory performance. They are given the chance to stay active longer by serving as mentors and role models for the younger generations. Through the program, both participants show an increased sense of gratefulness and hopefulness, greater interest in civic engagement, and increased reflection on core values.
Seniors found that these are the top benefits of participating in the program:
- Engage in meaningful conversations with teens and fellow Sages.
- Combat social isolation through thoughtful engagement.
- Connect with youth and gain fresh perspectives.
- Be a trail blazer in joining the first session of this renowned program.
- Share your legacy.
- Make a lasting impact.
Teens have very different top benefits of participating, such as:
- Learn from Experience: Teens will hear firsthand the life stories, challenges, and triumphs of an elder, gaining insights that are rarely found in textbooks or online.
- Develop Empathy and Social Skills: Through weekly interactions, teens cultivate empathy, listening skills, and the ability to engage with people from different backgrounds and life stages.
- Combat Ageism: By fostering mutual respect and understanding, the program helps dispel stereotypes and misconceptions about aging to promote a more inclusive society.
- Build Confidence and Perspective: Speaking with a Sage (participants 60+) can provide teens with a broader perspective on life, encouraging them to reflect on their own experiences, aspirations, and the impact they wish to make in the world.
- Volunteer: Teen participation has been approved to count towards groups that required volunteer hours such as the National Honor Society.
Tributes
“Ruth not only taught me how to be a better person for others but especially myself. Sages and Seekers
has been an amazing experience because of her influence and many interesting stories. I will forever have an appreciation for her and this program”
“I want to thank you for all the times you encourage me and all the times you told me that if I tried, I could do something. As I get older, I hope to age like you. I hope that I will be able to look at the world in a kind and positive light as you do. Thank you for caring for me and treating me with such kindness.”
“It’s important that we all go in the world and act like Gary. Be beautiful and give all that you can. Care about someone you don’t know. Always listen when someone’s talking. Try to pass on any wisdom you have. And more importantly, be a rock star!!! Responsibly of course.”
This blog post was created by librarians from Park City Library with help of information found in https://sagesandseekers.org/.