Since 1978, SAGE: Advocacy and Services for LGBTQ+ Elders (SAGE) has dedicated itself to improving the lives of older LGBTQ+ people through a variety of programs and online resources to fit the needs of this population. SAGE also advocates for policies, services and resources that aim to empower LGBTQ+ elders to live in an open and authentic way.
Two of the ways SAGE is helping LGBTQ+ elders nationwide find valuable community and resources is through its now five-years-old SAGECents financial wellness platform and the newly launched SAGEYou platform, both of which are free to utilize.
SAGECents is a digital wellness platform made specifically for LGBTQ+ people to increase financial stability and reduce economic stress. SAGE Manager of Impact and Engagement Maddie Thompson explained, “This program was created in partnership with LifeCents with generous support from the Wells Fargo Foundation.”
According to an in-house article by SAGE’s Chief Experience and Impact Officer Christina DaCosta, SAGECents launched to address the inequities that LGBTQ+ elders have faced that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its inception in August 2020, SAGECents has seen more than 4,500 users create accounts and utilize the platform to invest in their financial futures. DaCosta also discussed this program in a Take Pride in Retirement podcast episode.
SAGECents users save an estimated average of $600 and increase their credit scores by an average of 41 points, according to Thompson.
The platform also provides users with housing information for homeowners, renters or those who are interested in long-term care options that will soon include resources about navigating relocation, self-advocacy housing tips and how to identify inclusive long-term care communities.
Thompson said, “we also plan to launch calculators to help SAGECents users estimate important expenses and budget for caregiving, affording long-term care and preparing for retirement.”
The newly launched SAGEYou is a virtual community platform. It brings what SAGE has done for nearly 50 years to advocate and support LGBTQ+ elders who have built authentic and resilient lives in physical spaces to the digital world.
According to Thompson, “this dynamic platform is designed to uplift virtual events, share resources and build community across generations and geography.”
The online platform allows for SAGE to share programs and resources with a wider network of LGBTQ+ elders, caregivers and allies, especially those who might not have access to an LGBTQ+ community center.
SAGEYou offers LGBTQ+ elders, caregivers and allies lifelong learning opportunities, social events, expert-led wellness programs and advocacy resources. SAGEYou hosts a calendar that highlights SAGE and partner events. The SAGEYou resources library has videos, toolkits, guides and links to external partners that cover various topics. The platform is designed to help LGBTQ+ elders “thrive as they age, on their own terms.”
SAGE Director of Marketing and Communications Bren Cole said, “SAGECents is a really important tool for LGBTQ+ older people to feel empowered. Our community faces higher levels of unemployment, lack of financial support from family members and are more likely not to have spouses or children to help them as they age. Having insight and control over ones finances is especially useful to ensure our community can age with the security they need.
“SAGEYou was born out of SAGE’s mission to end isolation and build community for all older LGBTQ+ people. No matter where you live, SAGEYou exists as an online safe space for affirming resources and virtual events that create connections and celebrate queer and trans joy.”
Thompson encourages LGBTQ+ elders to “sign up for free and explore these helpful programs.”