The US is in the grip of a loneliness epidemic, where civic engagement and participation in social activities have been in decline for decades. But amidst this crisis, a new wave of activism has emerged, one that's tackling loneliness head-on by bringing people together around shared causes.
For Lani Ritter Hall, the loss of her husband sparked a sense of purpose she'd never felt before. After years of caring for him, she found solace in organizing and volunteering with groups like Third Act, which mobilizes older adults to protect democracy and confront climate change. Her experience is not unique – countless others have discovered a similar connection to community and meaning through movement-building spaces.
Movement organizers are finding that by working together around shared values, relationships can blossom in ways that transcend mere acquaintance. For Emmanuel "Juni" Taranu, an organizer with the St Louis Palestine Solidarity Committee, these connections have become family bonds. Juni's story is just one of many – from twentysomethings who celebrated "Friendsgiving" together after meeting as canvassers for social justice to millennials who've maintained lifelong friendships through volunteering at reproductive healthcare clinics.
Psychologists like Dr Tangela Montgomery are highlighting the power of these connections in combating loneliness. For individuals, community can be life-saving – offering a sense of belonging and purpose that's essential to mental health. While high-risk activism poses challenges, movement spaces can provide a safe space for collective care and vulnerability.
The work isn't always easy. Mary Holzman-Tweed, a volunteer at a local food pantry during the pandemic, recounts her struggles with social anxiety and mobility issues. Yet through her experience working on consensus-based projects, she's developed crucial relationship skills that have transformed her life.
For many, the leap into movement-building has been transformative – from building confidence in social settings to finding community in unexpected places. It's a reminder that connections we make while pushing for positive change can be just as rewarding as those we stumble upon by chance. As Lani Ritter Hall so poignantly puts it: "We have to go out and touch people, because we never know what's going to save us."
For Lani Ritter Hall, the loss of her husband sparked a sense of purpose she'd never felt before. After years of caring for him, she found solace in organizing and volunteering with groups like Third Act, which mobilizes older adults to protect democracy and confront climate change. Her experience is not unique – countless others have discovered a similar connection to community and meaning through movement-building spaces.
Movement organizers are finding that by working together around shared values, relationships can blossom in ways that transcend mere acquaintance. For Emmanuel "Juni" Taranu, an organizer with the St Louis Palestine Solidarity Committee, these connections have become family bonds. Juni's story is just one of many – from twentysomethings who celebrated "Friendsgiving" together after meeting as canvassers for social justice to millennials who've maintained lifelong friendships through volunteering at reproductive healthcare clinics.
Psychologists like Dr Tangela Montgomery are highlighting the power of these connections in combating loneliness. For individuals, community can be life-saving – offering a sense of belonging and purpose that's essential to mental health. While high-risk activism poses challenges, movement spaces can provide a safe space for collective care and vulnerability.
The work isn't always easy. Mary Holzman-Tweed, a volunteer at a local food pantry during the pandemic, recounts her struggles with social anxiety and mobility issues. Yet through her experience working on consensus-based projects, she's developed crucial relationship skills that have transformed her life.
For many, the leap into movement-building has been transformative – from building confidence in social settings to finding community in unexpected places. It's a reminder that connections we make while pushing for positive change can be just as rewarding as those we stumble upon by chance. As Lani Ritter Hall so poignantly puts it: "We have to go out and touch people, because we never know what's going to save us."
this article is kinda inspiring but also a bit scary I mean, if everyone just becomes super passionate about a cause they might get too caught up in it. like, i was part of an online community for mental health awareness and it started out really positive but then we got so heated that we had to take a break from each other 
. still, it's cool to see people finding purpose through activism. I think what bothers me most is how we're all expected to find our 'passion' or 'cause' by the time we're 30 lol. where's the middle ground?
I'm loving this new wave of activism that's all about building connections with others around shared causes! It's amazing to see how organizing and volunteering can give people a sense of purpose and belonging. 
Lani Ritter Hall's story is so inspiring, going from feeling lost after the loss of her husband to finding solace in giving back to her community. 
And it's not just about grand gestures – even small connections with like-minded people can make all the difference! 
I mean, who knew being lonely could be the best thing that ever happened to you? But seriously, folks, it sounds like this movement-building wave is exactly what the doctor ordered – a big ol' hug for our society 
. Like, who wouldn't want to find purpose and community after feeling lost? It's like we're all just one big happy family... working towards the same goal 
. And I love how these activists are turning their struggles into strength – it's like they say, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade"... or in this case, when life gives you social anxiety, build a movement 
I think this loneliness epidemic is actually kinda cool? I mean, the fact that people are coming together to make a difference and form meaningful connections with others is really inspiring. Like, Lani Ritter Hall finding purpose after her husband passed away is just heartbreaking but also super empowering. And it's not just about grand acts of activism – it's the little moments, like sharing "Friendsgiving" meals with friends, that can add up to make a big impact on mental health.
It's not that hard, right? We just need to start showing up for each other, especially when it comes to marginalized communities. 
We're not just fighting for social justice, we're building a support system that's got our backs. 
. It’s like people are finally realizing that just talking about social issues isn’t enough, you gotta actually do something with it 
.
It just goes to show that even when we’re pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones, good things can come from it 
.
. And we need more connections in our lives, not less 
.
- Theodore Roosevelt 
. But it's awesome to see a new wave of activism bringing people together around shared causes 
. For me, it's all about community and connection 
!
they're literally giving people a safe space to be vulnerable, build relationships, and find their purpose 
it's like, no more loneliness crisis! 
. It's amazing how just showing up and contributing to something bigger than ourselves can bring us closer together.