Hi. My name is Joe Lamy, and I started a group after I read an article about an 85-year Harvard study and shared my feelings with my lunch group at the Senior Center of West Seattle. The study showed how meaningful connections – the quality relationships in our lives – are better indicators of whether we are healthy and happy than money or fame. When another guy agreed to assist, we decided to start a group to combat loneliness.

I joined a book club on the book by Melisa Franco called Platonic, subtitled How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make – and Keep – Friends. A week before the first meeting of our new group the Surgeon General’s report on the Epidemic of Loneliness came out. I felt like I was swimming in the confluence of three rivers: the Harvard study, the Platonic book and the report on loneliness. Eight people came to the first meeting.

The Seattle Times published an article by Al Kemp to spotlight the group's success, so I tried to clone it at the Ballard NW Senior Center. It was well received. Then BusinessInsider published an article a couple of months later on the internet that drew folks from around the country. AARP offers a forum for volunteers to find ways to benefit their communities. I posted Facilitator of Friendship Skills Discussion Group.

Since then, I've been in touch with folks from coast-to-coast. Our interconnections strengthen when we share our stories and grow comfortable being seen and heard. It’s free, and the benefits are so fulfilling.