Overcoming loneliness one connection at a time
Friendship is a blessing and a gift to be cherished. Some friendships last a lifetime, others fade as the demands of life change and evolve. One thing remains constant, with each connection made, whether brief or long-term, we learn and grow from the people who come into our lives and teach us the meaning of companionship.
When Maria Maki moved to Buffalo in July of 2020, the COVID pandemic kept a lot of friendships on hold, especially the relationships that were yet to come. Maria tried to keep busy with reading and various household projects, but couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing, a void that needed to be filled. The emptiness she felt was something we call loneliness.
Loneliness has become an increasing concern for many senior citizens. Life is always changing. Children grow up and move out of the house. Some may start families of their own. A job may take them to a location far away. Old friends move to warmer climates, some may move for health reasons, others move because they are sick and tired of the cold Minnesota winters, and a few just want the opportunity to play golf all year long. The reasons are many and sometimes complex, but as the saying goes, ‘change is the only constant.’ As people grow older, it can become increasingly difficult to form new friendships and make connections with those around them.
In March of 2023, Maria noticed a post on the Nextdoor Neighbor app from a woman who was new to Buffalo and was experiencing loneliness. Maria decided to reach out and make a connection. That connection would grow and blossom into a group known as the Girls Nextdoor. The group’s first meeting took place on March 14, 2023, at Caribou Coffee located inside Coborn’s grocery store. That first meeting consisted of four women, the following week reached 15, and the Girls Nextdoor were off and running. Quickly outgrowing the confines of Coburn’s Caribou, the group needed to find a new meeting space. Marie searched around, eventually reaching out to Adam Leiferman who offered the group a home at the Buffalo Community Center, where the women meet each Tuesday afternoon for two hours. The goal of the group is to bring women from the community together to form connections. Each connection and friendship made helps to reduce the isolation and loneliness that can come in later years, due to life circumstances and change.
On March 19, the Girls Nextdoor celebrated their one-year anniversary at the community center. Special guest, Maija Zeska, a retired teacher who taught German and History in Buffalo for over 30 years, treated the group to a presentation on the gemstone, Amber. Group member, Connie Rosendahl, acknowledged the various contributions of several members, along with thanking Adam Leiferman and Teri Welter, Community Center staff, for their support and providing a welcoming space for the women to meet.
Approximately 15 - 25 women gather each week. The group is open to all women from the community and only has one rule; politics, religion, and COVID are all off topic for discussion. “This could change, but it’s been a good rule,” said Connie.
Along with meeting at the Community Center each Tuesday, the group plans and organizes many activities and outings. Highlights include book clubs, movie and game nights, pontoon rides around Lake Pulaski, craft sales, potlucks, and even day trips to special events in the area. Thanks to contributions and generous donations, Trailblazer Transit is able to provide transportation at no cost to Buffalo residents traveling to and from the community center.
As the group continues to evolve and grow, space at the center has become increasingly limited. The women are currently exploring options for expansion, with hopes of securing a possible grant to fund improvements and upgrades to the Buffalo Community Center, and the potential creation of a new meeting space.
