Nathaniel King is a graduate hall director in the Department of Residential Life.
Editor's note: In The WellNest Watch, master's degree candidates in the public health program at EMU's School of Health Promotion and Human Performance explore news, research and standard practices in the field of health and wellness.
I sat in a local coffee shop while thinking about the topic of this article. When I am in an academic funk, I always visit a local space to get my thoughts flowing. I thought about the value that local coffee shops, libraries and parks have brought to my life. These areas are third spaces that I often frequent.
Third spaces are the spaces around us besides our home and work. The term third space was coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg. For more information about how this term and concept developed, view this article from the University of Chicago. These spaces not only provide us with a place to gather but also support a wide range of benefits for communities. Let's take a look at these benefits.
Third spaces provide us with areas to connect with our neighbors. Since these spaces are often in our neighborhood, it's a great way to meet community members, local leaders and connect to local businesses. Third spaces, such as cafes, parks and libraries, are crucial resources for increasing our social circle. These spaces offer connections to people and often connections to local health resources.
Local libraries, such as the Ypsilanti District Library, offer support services, including a social worker and a safe space for citizens of all ages to hang out. Unhoused neighbors may use this space to access the internet, connect to local organizations and have a space to feel safe during the day. College students, families and others may use the library for computers as well as to check out books. Libraries are often a positive influence on improving literacy in a community by hosting summer reading events and supporting lifelong learning.
Parks provide green space, a safe place to exercise, and a free activity for families and community members. These spaces are often used for a variety of activities, family gatherings, holiday celebrations and community initiatives.
Protecting third spaces is key to positively influencing our health, as well as the role of health educators in your community. Public health professionals can use the spaces to connect with the communities that they serve.
It’s key to have free and accessible spaces to get to know your community and their needs. This helps us tailor health programs to fit and to get community members involved. Third spaces foster connection, a powerful tool for public health interventions, and are important spaces to protect for community members. The way we use third spaces may change as we age, seasonally, but they still serve us and provide a variety of benefits.
Contributors to The WellNest Watch health column are Kegan Tulloch, Ebrima Jobarteh and Ruby Wyles, graduate assistants in the Office of Health Promotions, and Shafaat Ali Choyon and Nathaniel King, graduate hall directors in the Department of Residential Life. All five are master's degree candidates in the Public Health Program from the School of Public Health Promotion and Human Performance at Eastern Michigan University.
