NISC Programs of Excellence 

• Year Awarded: 2026
• Programs of Excellence Name: MiGen Communication Pillars
• Hosting Organization: MiGen, Ferndale, Michigan

About the MiGen Communication Pillars

MiGen centers and celebrates older adults in the LGBTQ+ community, from branding to articles to ongoing lists of activities and engaging programs.

Using four pillars—Inclusion, Affirmation, Community, and News—MiGen communications and marketing are unique for:

• Celebrating family: The center works with professional photographers, storytellers, and senior center participants to capture real moments of connectionand joy among LGBTQ+ older adults. Ther is no stock photography in MiGen marketing tools!
• Newsiness: MiGen's newsletters, updates, and social media posts are more than calendar updates or pleas for donations. Each monthly e-newsletter features articles on current events specific to the LGBTQ+ community, updates on local, state, and national policies, and spotlights on Michigan older aduilts who are contributing to a more inclusive, affirming state. And the communications department includes descriptions and links to individual programs and activities, sign-up links for virtual programming (e.g., virtual book clubs, caregiver support groups, and LGBTQ+ artist lectures), and links to volunteer opportunities.
• Integration and Consistency: MiGen's electronic newsletter connects subscribers and LGBTQ+ participants to other essential programs and services across the state and routinely features partners and friends of the community. Features, articles, and opportunities are also cross-posted across MiGen's social media platforms. The idea is to reiterate news without overwhelming audiences by offering multiple engagement and access points.

"The cadence and quality of our content remain consistent throughout the year," said  MiGen Executive Director Angela Gabridge. "Our delivery style is fresh and easy to read. MiGen engages with sensitivity readers and language experts to ensure the words we use affirm and reflect the experiences of those we serve."

MiGen works with other senior centers to create, support, and integrate inclusive programming and practices into their own centers, enabling them to better serve LGBTQ+ older adults.

"We're not just producing and publishing high-quality materials for our participants and community; we're also showing other senior centers how to reach, serve, and meaningfully include LGBTQ+ members within their own footprints," Gabridge said.

Key takeaways from MiGen Communication Pillars:

• Participants and partners have consistently expressed admiration and appreciation for the quality, content, and opportunities to access new programs and connections thanks to MiGen’s robust communications. "Our messaging is fresh, sometimes cheeky, and always salient."
• MiGen intentionally rejects stereotypical aging imagery.
• LGBTQ+ aging adults themselves play a central role in shaping MiGen’s marketing and communications.

About MiGen

The MiGen (Michigan LGBTQ+ Elders Network) website says, "At MiGen, we believe everyone has earned the right to Age Out Loud. From housing and healthcare support to social events, we provide services, advocacy, social programs, and community connections to make life safer, more connected, more vibrant, and more fun for LGBTQ+ adults 45+."