About Us: The Legacy Archive Foundation
Since 2020
Spreading Stories.
Sharing Wisdom.
Saving Legacies.
What Drives Us
Our Mission
Here at the Legacy Archive Foundation, we believe there is no such thing as an “ordinary” life. We are all unique, interesting, and extraordinary human beings, regardless of how seemingly ordinary our backgrounds and experiences may seem. By capturing and sharing these stories and experiences, we not only hope to share the wisdom and thoughtfulness associated with these stories and experiences but immortalize the invaluable wisdom that only living life itself can develop and enrich. Whoever you are, you have a brilliant story to share, and we here at the Legacy Archive Foundation are eager to listen and learn.
Quick Info
Active Programs
Active Staff
Year Founded
Our History
The Legacy Archive Foundation was founded by Sean Lee, an undergraduate Human Biology major at the University of California, Irvine, and Zeinah Al-Darsani, a Master’s student with the Epidemiology Program at the University of California, Irvine.
Our two founders met through the 90+ Study at the University of California, Irvine, the world’s largest aging study seeking to answer the question behind what allows people to successfully live up to the ninth decade of life and beyond? Through their experiences with the 90+ Study, and motivated by their own personal experiences with the elderly in their family and in the surrounding community, they realized that their shared interests in the elderly extended far beyond the realm of academia and research.
The idea for the Legacy Archive Foundation came as a result of their passion for supporting the elderly and their evanescent, yet irreplaceable experiences and insight. Both are firm believers that the elderly are an integral part of the community, and as a result, they decided to create a platform that would allow older adults to tell their stories to a diverse and broad audience. Our founders are firmly dedicated to celebrating life and the craft of storytelling in a steadfast and compassionate manner.
This is only where our story begins, and we truly look forward to writing the next chapters of our own story through our interactions with the remarkable senior citizens in our community!
A Life Well Lived
Lives Worth Sharing
I think storytelling is such an important part of our lives. We learn and grow by listening to stories and reflecting on them. I am truly honored to have the opportunity to be a storyteller and share the lives and experiences of our senior citizens.
Sean Lee
Founder and Managing Director
I am an avid lover of stories, especially those of the past. I believe that the elderly are an important link to history, and it is critical to preserve their timeless lessons for future generations to learn from.
Zeinah
Co-Founder and Managing Director
Getting Involved
Common FAQs
How do I get in touch with the Legacy Archive Foundation?
You can get in touch with our team by sending us a message through the “Contact Us” page located on our website, by emailing us at info@legacyarchivefoundation.org, or by calling us at 949-414-9429.
How old do I have to be in order to be a participant in the GenPals or Lives Worth Sharing Program?
We are ideally looking for participants who are 65 years and older.
How can I get involved as a senior citizen participant with the GenPals and/or Lives Worth Sharing programs?
If you or someone you know is interested in participating in any of our programs, please email us at participant@legacyarchivefoundation.org, or give us a call at 949-414-9429.
How can I get involved as a volunteer with the Legacy Archive Foundation?
If you are interested in joining the Legacy Archive Foundation as a team member, please send us your resume and a short paragraph expressing why you are interested in joining to recruitment@legacyarchivefoundation.org.
Where will my story with the Lives Worth Sharing program be posted/shared?
Your story will be shared on our website and posted/promoted on various social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
Is participation in these programs free of cost?
Absolutely! We will cover all costs associated with participation in our programs. All we require is your time and engagement!
In what ways will my personal privacy be protected?
We of course understand that you may have concerns regarding privacy given the personal and intimate nature of the stories and experiences you may share throughout the course of your participation in our programs. For our GenPals participants, we take steps and have measures in place to ensure that the contents of the exchanged letters will be kept exclusively between you and your penpal. For our Lives Worth Sharing participants, we will keep you involved in every step of our development process. We will not release any information that you share with us without your explicit consent, including the video interview that will be posted on our website and social media accounts/platforms.
Do I have to live in Southern California to participate in the programs?
This would be assessed on a case-by-case basis and would be dependent on the specific program you are interested in. Ideally, we would like to open our programs up to individuals from all across the United States. However, logistical constraints make this challenging. Nevertheless, regardless of where you are located, if you are interested in participating, please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us! We will work with you to the best of our abilities!
How can I donate to the Legacy Archive Foundation?
We accept cash, PayPal, and Venmo donations. Given our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, please note that all donations to the Legacy Archive Foundation are in fact tax-deductible. We also accept in-kind donations. The Legacy Archive Foundation runs mainly on funding from our founders and board members. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated!