Hi! Welcome, and thank you for your interest in The Friendship Club! My name is Alison "Ali" Mode; I'm a social worker with the county of Los Angeles and I've been a Long Beach resident for over 10 years. As a social entrepreneur with a passion for all things concerning the human experience, my hope is to bring power back to people by bringing them together again.

 

The idea for founding the worlds first internet free people cafe came to me while completing my masters in social work and discovering sociologist Ray Oldenburg’s concept of third places. Shortly thereafter, I found myself reading the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory report on the epidemic of loneliness and isolation in the United States and realized I can't keep worrying about how it will happen, I just need to get people around each other other again - and fast. 

 

In short, third places are low cost, low barrier spaces outside of your home and work. Places like the library, parks, community and worship centers, cafes  etc. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer third places exist today. Read more about Third Places here The Impact of Third Places on Community Quality of Life . The surgeon general's advisory report concluded that we are lonelier than we have ever been. And evidence is showing that experiencing loneliness is the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day (that's more than half a pack!) or drinking 6 alcoholic drinks a day. You read that right. Isolation affects our physical health the same way smoking and drinking does. (Read the report here) 

 

The World Wide Web and social media has connected us globally and disconnected us locally. Technology is not the most beneficial way to connect with people despite it's instant accessibility and simplicity. Technology is a place for learning and productivity - it is not a replacement for human connection. 

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While The Friendship Club is not seeking to discount or demonize the invaluable contributions technology and the internet has had on civilization, it is hoping to inspire a more balanced lifestyle and renewed perspective on how we approach and utilize the internet.

 

After the last several years of historical civil unrest, there has never been a better time to introduce the concept of a “people cafe” where the sole purpose of the space is to foster human connection by providing pre-internet activities like board games, card games, puzzles, coloring pages, word searches, and the like. As well as offering a place for those who understand the need for connection but aren't very social where they can bring their book or craft and be with people without being expected to talk to anyone, buy anything, or leave quickly. 
 

By hosting a series of pop up events throughout the city of Long Beach I hope to raise enough capital to lease a space where we can go any time we feel isolated or lonely. A personal use space where you choose how you spend your device free time. Where you can gather with friends or come to make new ones. Bring your own device free activity or use one of ours! 

 

By opening up an accessible and affordable third space where it’s function is to provide opportunity for in person connection, we hope to champion those seeking a more meaningfully connected way of life.