Outreach & Engagement
Strengthening Communities Through Connection
Why Engagement Matters
Aging doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in families, neighborhoods, and communities. At Michigan State University, AgeAlive fosters intergenerational connection and community-based collaboration to help people of all ages thrive together.
We connect MSU expertise with community insight to co-create age-friendly solutions, foster participation, and elevate aging as a community strength.
Our Strategic Focus
AgeAlive’s engagement efforts are guided by three core strategies:
- Create Intergenerational Experiences
We create opportunities for meaningful, cross-generational experiences that build empathy and shared purpose. - Partner with Communities
Our work is grounded in relationships. We collaborate with organizations across Michigan to understand local needs, support research translation, and expand access to lifelong well-being. - Promote Aging as a Community Asset
We advance a view of aging that values experience, contribution, and connection, shaping environments where people of all ages can thrive.
Programs That Connect
Two signature engagement programs exemplify AgeAlive’s mission:
Generations Connect
This reimagined version of the former Senior Ambassadors Program pairs MSU students with older adults to exchange stories, cultures, and perspectives through service-learning and dialogue. The program is hosted in collaboration with East Lansing’s Prime Time Seniors Program and MSU’s Social Science Scholars Program.
Butterfly Gardens
A community-engaged art initiative designed to support well-being through creativity. This project shows how intergenerational partnerships support reflection and healing.
Get Involved
Are you a community organization, nonprofit, or practitioner interested in partnering with AgeAlive?
Connect With Us Support Our Work
What People Are Saying
“AgeAlive helps elevate the work we’re doing in the community and makes space for our voices at the university level. It’s about relationships and visibility.”
— Alesha Williams, Prime Time Senior Programs, East Lansing
