Marking 20 years of wisdom: How the pandemic made this intergenerational advice site more relevant than ever

PITTSBURGH, PA (PittsburghNewsWire.com) — When Elder Wisdom Circle (EWC) founder Doug Meckelson met with the organization’s first five elders in 2001, no one could have imagined that almost two decades later, a team of more than 100 elders would be fielding a deluge of advice requests spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

As the organization celebrates its 20th anniversary this summer, the total number of advice requests is nearing 500,000. Visitors to the site more than doubled in 2020—and advice requests now stem from 233 countries worldwide. While the elders are used to offering advice on a myriad of topics—from dating, relationships, and marriage to careers, school, and self-improvement—many requests during the pandemic took on a new tone and sense of urgency.

 

“Maybe they’re lonely or scared, or debating with family members about whether it’s OK to travel,” Meckelson said of these letters, noting that the current tally for pandemic-themed letters is well over 1,500.

“During the pandemic, young people may be more isolated, raising feelings of depression and anxiety, as well as difficulty in family relations,” added Sara Jane Lowry, EWC’s executive director. While the pandemic spurred a new reason to write, Meckelson and Lowry stressed that for the advice seeker, it’s the opportunity to connect one-to-one with an empathetic elder that differentiates the EWC experience.

Although some members of the all-volunteer elder team do have educational, health, or counseling backgrounds, elders draw on their years of life experience to advise on a variety of topics.

 

George Krock, who serves as both an elder and the organization’s president, views it from a problem-solving perspective—for the advice-seeker and the elder. “Various societal factors may leave teens and young adults with no meaningful mentors or family connections that they can go to for caring and confidential advice while at the same time, we have a cadre of elders who still have the energy and desire to do something meaningful.”

 

For Elder Shorty (all elders use pen names on the EWC site), an upcoming retirement date inspired her to look for a volunteer activity that she could begin while still working full time. “When I read about Elder Wisdom Circle, I thought that I might be a good fit. I enjoy writing and I believed that I had some wisdom to offer. I’m frequently a person younger people and my peers ask for advice. EWC appeared to be an avenue to help someone in need of answers.” Elder Good-Listener echoed that motivation. “I’ve had a lot of life experience and have always been someone folks have come to for advice or even just to vent. In joining EWC, I thought I’d have a unique opportunity to help others by my ‘past lives,’ so to speak, and to help myself by giving to others.”

 

As the organization looks back fondly on 20 years of connecting advice seekers with caring, compassionate elders, the collective eye is squarely on the future, with plans for site enhancements and additional avenues for sharing the wisdom of the elders.

 

Is there an EWC elder in your area?

 

Photos, quotes, and interview access available for select elders.

Please contact EWC for information on the featured elders and leadership team members below or to inquire about elders in your local market.

 

Doug Meckelson, Founder | Walnut Creek, CA George Krock, President; Elder | Pittsburgh, PA Sara Jane Lowry, Executive Director | Pittsburgh, PA Janet Moursund, Elder | Eugene, OR Kathleen Fischer, Elder | Illinois Mary E. Richardson, Elder | Kingsville, MD Mary Gouveia, Elder | Prescott, AZ Matthew Molitch, Elder | Las Vegas, NV Paul Stoker, Elder | Dallas, Texas Penny Righthand, Elder | Oakland, CA

 

ElderWisdomCircle™ is an IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit member association.