While we hope to someday have a physical space where people can connect, take a free class, trade goods & services and start or join a club, for the foreseeable future Third Space can be found at pop-up events throughout Bennington & Omaha.

Our dream for the future is a space where you can:

• Take or teach a class. Examples could include arts & crafts, STEM, yoga or gardening. We want to hear the topics you’d like to learn more about or know enough about to teach. We think everyone has one! You don’t need a PhD or teaching experience to share a skill or idea with your neighbors.

• Participate in events or volunteer opportunities. This could include neighborhood trash pick-up, fun runs, chess tournaments, etc.

• Start or join a club or group. We provide the space and will help get the word out, you bring the ideas and willingness to organize. Ideas could include book clubs, card clubs and gaming groups.

• Use Third Space during open hours for meetings, remote working, hanging out with friends or utilizing our donated library, craft corner and technology area.

Why is having a space like this important?

The United States Surgeon General stated in 2023 that 50% of American adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness. Lack of quality social connection has been shown to increase the risk for mental health challenges, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and even premature death to levels comparable to smoking daily. This is despite there being record-breaking numbers of people every year using social media and other online third places designed to bring people together digitally. There’s just no substitute for the real thing.