April 2025

Many of us remember our college years. I went to Michigan State University with 50,000 other students. It was big and admittedly at times, overwhelming. Navigating the large campus, sitting in lecture halls with hundreds of students, or going to the largest nonmilitary cafeteria in the US for dinner, jolted my 18 year-old confidence, like many other students.

The first thing most college students realize is that you have to make this new world more personal. That means you join something; for me that was a sorority. Sororities, like fraternities, are tight-knit communities that offer a sense of belonging and support. They provide a shared identity with others going through the same experiences. For me, my sorority resized that overwhelming campus of 50,000 students down to 100 women looking for a connection.

Strikingly similar to a fraternity or sorority, Next makes the greater community more personal. Just like our sorority, Next members are welcomed into a supportive network, encouraged to participate in social activities, and find guidance through the uncertainties of aging to improve their well-being.

Speaking recently with Linda, a relatively new member, she explained that Next is a special place to her. Linda recently moved to Michigan, leaving her familiar social network behind. After trying a few other places around town, a friend recommended she look into Next and is very happy , whether it be cards or Pickleball. The Next I know is a community that is welcoming, that makes new experiences and connections possible”.

“To me Next is a safe haven from the ageism we experience in our broader world. I didn’t really experience that until I was fully retired from my professional career. I began to notice how I was being discounted and even dismissed in subtle and not so subtle ways. I’m not sure you can fully understand how insidious ageism is until you experience it. Next is a breath of fresh air where members can expect to experience respect”.

As older adults enter a new chapter like Linda did, many feel adrift. Once the kids are grown, we’ve retired, or after the devastating loss of a spouse, finding community can be a life-line.

“Like many other members, I find comfort at Next. Next creates that special place where we can forge new friendships and social relationships with other members who share a mutual understanding that comes from having lived a full life”. Linda continued.

Next’s comprehensive approach to healthy aging, where seniors have easy access to programs, services, and social interactions all under one roof, leads to increased participation rates — and better outcomes for the long-term health of our seniors. It’s about holistic care — coordinated, efficient, and tailored to the unique needs of our senior residents.

Just as college fraternities and sororities provide belonging, support, and growth for young adults, Next offers the same benefits to older adults. By providing a space where older residents can come together, access essential resources, and experience an emotional connection, Next transform lives — all while strengthening the fabric of the Birmingham community.

Cris Braun is Executive Director of Birmingham Next