SAGE Upstate programs aim to improve health and reduce isolation for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning older adults and our allies.
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SAGE Upstate serves older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people in Central New York. We try to help elders in our community age in the most healthy way possible, because we find that some struggle to do so. SAGE Upstate creates and nurtures spaces where everyone can have the support they need, because many older LGBT people live in isolation. We also reach out to providers of aging services with strategies for affirming all they serve.
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Older LGBT People are more likely to live alone, less likely to have children to rely on for support, and may be less likely to reach out for support, for fear of being treated unfairly
Last year, we met needs in a number of ways
1. 300+ program sign-ins each month.
2. 200 providers of aging services trained.
3. 100+ enrichment groups, 100+ fitness sessions.
4. 18 health presentations.
5. 200 socials.
6. 50+ monthly at Oswego/Syracuse/Utica potlucks
7. On average, 37 SAGE Upstate programs a month
8. 1,000 people served
This year, with COVID-19 and social distancing, we are still here improving health and reducing isolation for older LGBT people:
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Implementation of remote access programming
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Training and help, so everyone can participat
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Fitness sessions on line and through remote-access
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Ways to connect socially while distancing physically
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Webinars for aging service providers across CNY
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Online Health presentations on critical issues
I have been a part of SAGE Upstate for more than 15 years and in that time have made many friends. I can not overstate how important these contacts are to me. My friends from before SAGE have either passed away or moved away, and I have no family members living in the area. If it were not for SAGE, my life would be very different. I would be very alone.
SAGE offers support, social and creative activities and life enriching health and educational opportunities for the elderly. I have seen people come in with problems for which they didn’t know where to begin to turn for help -- spousal abuse, loss of a home, hospitalization, identity theft, and other issues. Many of us fear going through regular channels because of society’s former treatment of the LGBT community. But we are comfortable turning to this organization. SAGE Upstate is an important resource for our community. -Ron B, 77
For more information on SAGE Upstate, visit other pages on this site.
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