SAGE Meetings
First SAGE Meeting - New Beginning
We held the first SAGE and Grand Connections Meeting with success on September 21, 2022 at Allendale Campus, GVSU, and reached one of the first milestones in the program....
Harvest Meeting
The Second SAGE and Grand Connection meeting for the month of October was held on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at Au Sable Hall, Allendale, GVSU. While having some warm pizzas and yummy apple cider, Diane told us about her life in her 20s. It was literally one of the most amazing life journeys that we have heard so far......
Thanksgiving Meeting
We got together for the thanksgiving meeting, the monthly SAGE and Grand Connections Meeting on Wednesday November 16, 2022. We heard stories from Lauren and Don....
23/24 First SAGE Meeting
We held the first SAGE and Grand Connections Meeting of the 2023/24 school year with success on September 18, 2022 at Allendale.......
Pumpkin Painting Extravaganza
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Our much-anticipated meeting and event on Monday, October 16th 2023 turned out to be an absolute blast.....
Valentine's Day Card Decoration Event
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The Valentine's Day card decorating event held on February 5th and the distribution event held on February 14th was a.....
Flower Pot Painting
On April 15th, we hosted a delightful event bringing together students and community members to paint flower pots for nursing home residents...
SAGE F24 1st Meeting
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SAGE and Grand Connections welcome a new school year! Older members shared with new members their experiences of participating various activities in the past couple of years. They also got to know each other through "speed dating"!
Pumpkin Painting -2024
On Tuesday evening, 10/15/24, a record number of students and older adults got together to paint pumpkins! The room was full of lovely conversations and artistic expressions! There were so many creative arts made.
Holiday Party - Cookie Decoration
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Students and older adults got together just before the final exams week on Saturday, December 8th, 2024 to celebrate the holidays and end of the fall semester with a cookie decoration party. It was both fun and sweet!
Valentine's Cards Decoration Party 2.6.25
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Students and older adults got together on 2/6/25 to decorate Valentine's cards. A record number of over 30 people filled the room with artistic talents, creativity, and conversations. With each decoration, a personal message written on each card, we spread our love and make connections with an older adult who will receive the card delivered by AARP's Cupid Crew made up AARP volunteers and students on Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Cards Decoration Party 2.8.25
Students and older adults got together on 2/8/25 at Barbara Ziemann's house to decorate more Valentine's cards. Barbara made a pot of delicious chili. Plus pizzas and desserts made by some AARP volunteers. We made another big stack of cards. All together for the two cards decoration parties, we made over 200 cards.
Weave & Connect 3.15.25
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On March 15th, 20 people gathered at a big conference room next to Laura Armenta's studio in a historical building on Fulton Street. Laura presented a session on the cultural significance of weaving and knitting and how these crafts connect different generations and our communities together. After her presentation, people experimented with colorful yarns, especially finger knitting.
Blankets & Stories, 4.10.25
On April 10th, 2025, SAGE and Grand Connections got together on campus to make tied fleece blankets. 28 students and older adults got together and spread out at four workstations. Each group matched the two sides of the fabrics, cut, and tied. Once they figured out exactly how to do it, they also started sharing stories of their summer memories while working on the blankets. The room was filled with warmth and laughter. At the end, there were 9 blankets made, which will be delivered to local homeless shelters and veteran homes in the fall.
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