Southampton, PA - Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin and Deputy Secretary of Aging Steven Horner visited Hillcrest Elementary School in Council Rock School District to engage with students, educators, and older adult volunteers from Senior Adults for Greater Education (S.A.G.E.) in elementary classrooms.
“The Pennsylvania Department of Education is committed to providing world-class educational opportunities to learners of all ages and from all walks of life, and this partnership is a testament to the value of multi-generational engagement and learning,” said Secretary Mumin. “S.A.G.E. fosters continued engagement, to the benefit of educators, students, volunteers, and the community as a whole.”
In May, the Shapiro Administration released Aging Our Way, PA, a ten-year plan including priorities, strategies, and tactics to promote health, well-being and quality of life for all Pennsylvanians as we age. Aging Our Way, PA also prepares the Commonwealth for a larger, longer-living older adult population and is designed to respond to changing needs, shifting priorities and available resources. The Department of Aging led the charge to develop the plan following an Executive Order signed by Governor Josh Shapiro in May 2023.
Among the tactics in Aging Our Way, PA is expanding awareness of volunteer opportunities and highlighting the social and mental health benefits of volunteering for older adults.
“I commend the S.A.G.E. volunteers for their vision and dedication in creating and sustaining this innovative intergenerational programming in their community. They and thousands of older Pennsylvanians who devote countless hours to volunteering are demonstrating the power they have to make a difference,” said Secretary Kavulich. “The fact is, the Department of Aging’s network couldn’t deliver the services that it does without the support of our more than 11,000 volunteers across the Commonwealth. They selflessly give an estimated 156,000 hours of service a year with an estimated value of nearly $5 million. These caring individuals play a vital role in multiple programs that help older adults stay informed, health, independent and in their communities.”
S.A.G.E. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that custom matches community members, aged 55+, with fulfilling volunteer opportunities in their local school districts. Volunteers are matched with a classroom for one school year to help their partner teachers with various activities. Specialized placements allow volunteers with a particular area of expertise or interest to assist with events such as spelling bees or science fairs, and extra-curricular club and activity placements let volunteers share their talents and hobbies with students.
In 2023, S.A.G.E. volunteers contributed more than 3,350 hours in southeastern Pennsylvania schools.
“As a former teacher and parent, and now a grandparent, I realize that education takes on a lot of different faces. We learn from our parents, our siblings, our elders, our teachers, and our peers. S.A.G.E. was born in 1998 to bring generations together for the mutual benefit of students, teachers, seniors, and the community,” said S.A.G.E. Founder and Executive Director Beryl Katz. “Intergenerational learning and experiences allow a vehicle for generativity—each generation to learn from the other. Our ‘sages’ truly make a difference in the community while benefiting from their time interacting with students.”
Governor Josh Shapiro is committed to ensuring Pennsylvania students have the resources they need to learn and grow all year long. His 2024-25 budget secured a $1.1 billion increase in basic education funding—the largest in Pennsylvania history. The education budget also includes $100 million for safety and mental health supports in schools, and a $100 million increase for special education funding.
For more information on how the 2024-25 budget will create opportunity for Pennsylvanians, visit shapirobudget.pa.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT: Erin James, erinjames@pa.gov
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