Amid America’s Angst, Public Gatherings Lift Up Local Communities

My latest delves into the value of public gatherings across the country:

“In the middle of the loneliness epidemic and myriad fractures in American society, the desire for social connection often goes unfulfilled. Earlier this year, a report by the nonprofit US Chamber of Connection began, ‘Social disconnection now defines the American experience, impacting our health, democracy, and quality of life.’ As if to highlight the point, in July, Axios posted the story “Americans of all ages are spending less time socializing.”

“At the same time, there are endeavors for social connection in local public gatherings. Ones that feel truly communal are marked by a shared purpose and sense of belonging. ‘Communities of play, [shared activities in groups], were the number one intervention that seems to have the biggest impact on trust and bridging, [connecting across difference], enabling people to build social connection, overcoming loneliness,’ said Aaron Hurst, the nonprofit’s founder and CEO.”

Read the full story.