by Jim Herbert
MenLiving officially launched our first collaboration with Sages & Seekers, an intergenerational program that brings teens (Seekers) and older adults (Sages) together through authentic, meaningful conversation.
Building off the seeds of our own Bridge program, this new collaboration is specifically designed to:
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Build empathy across age gaps.
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Reduce social isolation for all participants.
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Combat ageism by fostering mutual respect.
The 7-Week Journey
This program meets a universal human need for connection, meaning, and purpose. Over the course of seven weeks:
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Seekers: Strengthen social-emotional awareness while developing critical listening, interviewing, and communication skills.
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Sages: Experience a renewed sense of relevance, contribution, and value within a shared community.
Community Impact & Partnerships
We owe a special thanks to Shaun Emerson and Steve Smith for their leadership in bringing this partnership to life. We are hopeful this is the first of many collaborations that deepen connection across generations of men.
Key Highlights:
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Growth: Half of the men serving as Sages in this inaugural group joined us through our partnered programming with AARP Illinois.
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Legacy: This initiative fulfills a long-standing commitment to intergenerational programming that began with our Eisner Foundation grant in early 2024.
The ML Vision
We are honored to continue building on these existing partnerships, ensuring that every man—regardless of age—has a place to be seen, heard, and valued.
