This is a training program for professionals and lay leaders that offers practical skills in leading groups and supporting individuals in the exploration of their own aging process. Participants receive a manual which provides them with material to teach twelve, 2-hour sessions on a variety of topics including Images of Aging, Forgiveness: A Gift We Give Ourselves, Facing My Mortality, Intuition: My Illuminated Self, Gaia Consciousness: Elders as Healers, etc. The teaching method is based on a holistic approach using the multiple intelligences and whole brain learning techniques. CEU's are available. Please call Rosemary Cox, 574-647-6632 for information.

Mature Media Award Winner

Memorial Sage-ing Center was a winner in the 13th annual National Mature Media Awards Program. The program, presented by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national clearinghouse for the senior market, recognizes the nation's finest advertising, marketing and educational materials designed and produced for older adults.

The Sage-ing Circle Facilitator Manual received a Silver Award for Total Consumer Education Program in Healthcare.

Volunteer Opportunities

CARING CALLERS – Call recently discharged hospital patients and other homebound individuals needing encouragement, support or a safety check.

COMPANIONS – Spend time conversing with and supporting patients awaiting tests and treatment in Memorial's Radiation/Oncology Department.

COUNCIL OF ELDERS – Serve on the Council of the Memorial Sage-ing Center to plan the direction of the sage-ing program and to work on special projects that help to strengthen families and the community.

FRIENDLY VISITORS – Visit older, hospitalized patients at Memorial to offer encouragement and support.

GENERATIONS KONNECT – Share your wisdom and mentor a student enrolled in a computer class at Marian High School. Work together on a project that focuses on a period in history or on a contemporary issue. Computer skills are not necessary.

GRANDBUDDIES – Mentor and become pen pals with an elementary school student. We also meet with our “Buddies” three to four times during the school year to participate in structured activities.

LAPETITE KIDS – Connect with youngsters from LaPetite Day Care, planning and co-facilitating an activity at the Leighton Center.

LIFE SKILL ENRICHMENT FOR PREGNANT TEENS – Mentor young mothers who are attending high school to nurture identity, role and self esteem development.

MANY FACES OF AGING – Co-present Memorial's aging sensitivity program at community agencies and organizations.

MEMORIAL SAGE-ING CENTER FACULTY – Be trained to facilitate sage-ing groups, lead meditations and co-teach workshops on topics such as conscious aging, life review, forgiveness, leaving legacies, etc.

NO BUTTS ABOUT IT – Co-present a 30-minute interactive program to elementary school students (K-4) to discourage the use of tobacco.

Specialized training will be provided for each service area along with promoting self development and educating volunteers about health and aging. Call Rosemary Cox at (574) 647-6632 for information or an application.

Related Links

Certified Faculty Profiles

Rosemary Cox, Coordinator	Certified Sage-ing Leader, Sage-ing Circle Facilitator Curriculum Developer and Trainer Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist BA, Secondary Education, Purdue University ; MS, Counseling and Human Services, Indiana University Wellness Therapist, Memorial's Leighton Center Board Member, Forever Learning Institute Past Experience: Director of Family Financial Services, Family and Children Services; 11 Years Experience with Elder Population
Linda Bellemore, Staff	Certified Sage-ing Leader, Sage-ing Circle Facilitator Curriculum Developer and Trainer Certified Chaplain; Certificate in Spiritual Direction BSN, Nursing, Loyola University ; MPS, Pastoral Studies (Health Care), St. Paul University, Ottawa , Ontario Wellness Educator, Memorial Leighton Center Past Experience: Senior Adult Minister; Continuity of Care Coordinator, AIDS Ministry; Director of Pastoral Care; Corporate Renewal Team Members, Sisters of the Holy Cross; Teacher, Grades 2-7
Roger Cox, Volunteer	Certified Sage-ing Leader; trained Sage-ing Circle Facilitator Certified Teacher, 35 years BS, Macalaster College ; MEd, University of Massachusetts Fourth Grade Teacher (English, Science, Math), Stanley Clark School Coordinator, Grandbuddies Mentoring Program Past Experience: Peace Corps Teacher and Program Director, Sierra Leone, West Africa; Teacher in Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Naturalist/Living History Presenter with Shenandoah National Park; Facilitator, Men's Groups

Joan Milani, Volunteer	Certified Sage-ing Leader; trained Sage-ing Circle Facilitator Certified Chaplain; Grief Counselor; Two Years Lay Ministry Training, Archdiocese of Chicago BA Secondary Education; MPS, Loyola University Retreat Facilitator (Interest in Quilts and Storytelling) Past Experience: High School Teacher, Parish, Campus, Diocesan Area Hospital Ministries
Mayadene Paysoure, Volunteer	Certified Sage-ing Leader, trained Sage-ing Circle Facilitator Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor, N.Y.S. Certified Clinical Counselor MA, Human Relations Education and Community Organization, New York University Chemical Dependency Counselor, YWCA of St. Joseph County, South Bend, IN Member of Community Connections Advisory Committee, Center for Women's Intercultural Leadership, Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN Past Experience: Mental Health Consultant; Clinical Counselor; Training And Program Development Leader for Adult Volunteers; Human Rights Specialist; Drug Abuse Prevention Consultant and Trainer
Ellie Peters, Volunteer	Certified Sage-ing Leader, trained Sage-ing Circle Facilitator Certified in Spiritual Formation, The Epiphany Association; Trained Spiritual Care Volunteer BA Elementary Education, History and Speech; MS Special Education Past Experience: Kindergarten Teacher for 20 years; Trained Home Child Care Provider and Author; Developed a Special Education Curriculum Center ; Taught “Grandmother Goose” Class (formation of children through children's literature); Children's Librarian; Facilitator of Spiritual Direction-in-Common Sessions
Ken Peters, Volunteer	Certified Sage-ing Leader, trained Sage-ing Circle Facilitator Certified in Spiritual Formation, The Epiphany Association; Trained Spiritual Care Volunteer; Journalist BA Philosophy, Notre Dame University ; Seminary Theology Studies, Holy Cross College, Washington D.C. Past Experience: Former Associate Editor at Ave Maria Press; Editor, Spiritual Books Associate Book Club; Facilitator of Spiritual Direction-in-Common Sessions

Elders are the jewels of humanity that have been mined from the Earth, cut in the rough, then buffed and polished by the stonecutter's art into precious gems that we recognize for their enduring value and beauty. We sense their radiance in our youth, but we cannot contain it. It requires a lifetime's effort to carve out the multifaceted structure that can display our hidden splendor in all its glory.

-Zalman Schachter-Shalomi

For more information contact:

Coordinator Rosemary Cox, LCSW
Leighton Center for Senior Health
534 North Michigan Street
South Bend, IN 46601

(574) 647-6632
fax: (574) 647-6635

rcox@memorialsb.org