How do we connect neighbors for friendship and well-being? We create opportunities to meet, learn, socialize, and support each other.
A few connections discovered through ENN
A member/volunteer who lost her dog met a member who was seeking dog-walking assistance. Since then, the two have become friends.
A couple who volunteered to drive a member to an event discovered they all shared a love of art. They visited the Bellevue Arts Museum together and became regulars at ENN's bi-weekly Art History Special Interest Group.
A volunteer and member discovered they were both SIFF members. When the member could no longer get to Seattle on her own, the volunteer accompanied her to 5 films she would otherwise have to miss.
A volunteer who loves gardening began helping a member with her extensive garden. They became friends and together wrote, edited, and self-published several books on gardening.
A member who loves bridge volunteered to start a bridge-for-beginners group that met weekly before COVID, then went online. Want to start a new group? Send email to [email protected].
A member whose yoga teacher also teaches meditation invited her teacher to lead a Mindfulness Meditation Group. The teacher volunteered to guide a group that continues to meet with participant leadership on Friday afternoons. (Membership Required)
Several members wanted to learn Mahjong and started playing with a group of residents at The Gardens at Town Square (an ENN platinum sponsor). When the COVID-19 crisis began, meetings were suspended. Want to start a new group? Send email to [email protected].
Members Find Opportunities to Volunteer People who volunteer "tend to be at lower risk for loneliness and depression," according to a post on the Era Living web site. The post cites a Harvard Business Review article that "revealed that volunteers felt more effective, productive, and abundant in the time they had, even after volunteering to give it away." The writer points out that, "For many, starting friendships later in life feels harder...Plus, it can just be awkward, at almost any stage of life." Volunteering affords opportunities for conversation to flow from shared activities and can be a gateway to new friendships.
Looking for new opportunities to connect? Want to learn more about how friendships thrive and grow? We've posted a summary of articles on making and keeping friendships on the Calendar page for and event we postponed due to COVID.
