meet a stranger PROJECT: 2024 - ONGOING
What is the Meet a Stranger Project?
The Meet a Stranger project is a monthly opportunity for strangers to unite, finding commonality through connection, one conversation at a time. Started in July, 2024, the project is sponsored by the City of Victoria (My Great Neighbourhood Grant) and the Fairfield Gonzales Community Association. This monthly event allows strangers to share one-off, one-hour platonic conversations with someone they've never met before.
As strangers enter, they put their names into a jar to be paired at random. Unlike the concept of a human library, which tends to be a monologue, the Meet a Stranger conversations are active dialogues, allowing both parties to find commonality through connection.
By creating a welcoming, safe space, these conversations offer a real-time way to combat social isolation and loneliness here in Victoria.
NEXT EVENT: Saturday April 19, 2025 at 2.15pm
Fairfield Gonzales Community Place
1330 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield.
How did Meet a Stranger begin?
While undertaking the Fifty First Dates Project, I met 31/50, Jacinthe. Sharing the desire to build community and encourage social engagement, I told her about a crazy idea I had to create a public version of my private Fifty First Dates Project. I remember her asking me if I was an organized person. "Nope," I laughed. Her reply changed everything: "Well, I am. Want some help?"
While Jacinthe is a self-professed introvert, I am not. We managed to blend our individual communication styles to create a dynamic that appeals to both introverts and extroverts alike. Additionally, her incredible organizational skills allowed Meet a Stranger to get out of my head, and into reality.
Along the journey we found an amazing quote that summarized our partnership perfectly. "Greatness happens when the person with the wild imagination collaborates with the person who knows how to get things done."
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