How The Bridge Center in Pelican Rapids Is Reviving Third Spaces for Youth and Community
Photo Credit: Ben Hovland | MPR News. Left to right: Pelican Rapids students Ikraan Mohamed, Phoebe Peter and Avah Pixley climb the steps of the state Capitol in St. Paul on Feb. 25.
A Small-Town Solution to a Big Problem
At times, I feel heavy when thinking about the future of family, friendship, and community. Society has reached a pivotal moment in emotional and social interactions—shaped profoundly by the technologies of social media and AI. While designed to bring us closer, these tools often deepen the sense of separation. The National Institute of Health (NIH) reports that more and more young people are feeling isolated, with increasing rates of low self-esteem, anxiety, and eating disorders.
And yet—we have hope.
That hope is rooted not in grand solutions or far-off innovations, but in something simple, local, and deeply human: the revival of community gathering spaces for youth and families. In small towns across the country, people are reclaiming the idea that belonging and joy are born from shared community spaces, intentional connection, and intergenerational trust. I’m lucky to be part of one of these efforts as the Project Manager of The Bridge Center in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.
What Are Third Spaces and Why Do They Matter?
In the world of community development, the term “third space” has taken on renewed urgency. Coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, a third space is a place that isn’t home (first space) or work/school (second space), but something else entirely: a coffee shop, a library, a community center. These places offer neutral ground where people can gather, unwind, and engage in conversation or hobbies. They are the connective tissue of a healthy society.²
Research increasingly shows what many of us intuitively know: third spaces matter. They help us build social capital, the trust and reciprocity that form the bedrock of thriving communities. They serve as informal support systems, offering everything from a listening ear to a shared meal. And most importantly, they foster belonging—especially for those who are otherwise on the margins.
As the NIH and other researchers point out, the erosion of third spaces has coincided with growing social isolation.³ Public places have become more privatized, communal gathering less frequent, and youth programming more fragmented. When you mix that with a digital culture that favors performance over presence, the result is an epidemic of loneliness.
But not all is lost.
The Bridge Center: A Community Hub for Belonging
In Pelican Rapids, we’re responding to these trends with renewed energy, commitment, and imagination. The Bridge Center was born from the collective hopes of young people, local leaders, and community members who believe in the power of place—and the potential of our youth.
The Bridge Center is a vibrant hub where young people and families find connection, belonging, and possibility. Through youth leadership, shared cultural experiences, and access to resources and economic opportunities, we celebrate our individuality, embrace our common ground, and build a stronger, more unified future—together.
What started as a shared dream has grown into a full-fledged nonprofit organization revitalizing a historic building in the heart of town. The former Congregational Church is being transformed into a space of joy, creativity, and care.
A Vision for the Future of Youth and Community in Pelican Rapids
What’s Inside The Bridge Center?
Our vision is to create a welcoming, intergenerational “third space” where all members of the community—but especially youth and families—can gather, lead, create, and grow. The Bridge Center includes:
A Youth Center designed by and for teens, with space for socializing, learning, and creativity.
A Community Kitchen that promotes food access, culinary skills, and shared meals.
A Public Event Space for concerts, celebrations, storytelling, and community dialogue.
A Family Resource Center offering support services, referrals, and parenting programs.
These elements combine to form a multifunctional third space in rural Minnesota—a space where anyone can walk through the doors and feel like they belong.
Youth Leadership Is at the Center
We’re investing in youth leadership from the beginning. Young people are shaping programming, designing space, and helping define the culture of the Bridge Center. Their voices are not only included—they’re centered. This project gives young people the opportunity to lead community initiatives, practice civic engagement, and experience themselves as agents of change—not someday, but right now.
Rooted in Small-Town Values, Built for Today’s Challenges
Pelican Rapids is a beautifully diverse small town, home to families from across the world and across generations. Our strength lies in that diversity—and the Bridge Center is designed to reflect and celebrate it.
We are building on a long-standing rural tradition: people showing up for each other, solving problems together, and believing in the next generation. The Bridge Center draws on that wisdom, and pairs it with the tools and structures to meet 21st-century challenges.
This work wouldn’t be possible without support from the City of Pelican Rapids, Faith Lutheran Church (our early fiscal host), and the many community members who have volunteered, dreamed, and built alongside us.
How You Can Get Involved
Whether you live in Pelican Rapids or care about the future of rural America, we invite you to be part of this movement.
5 Ways to Support the Bridge Center
1. Spread the Word. Follow us online and share our story with friends, family, and networks.
2. Volunteer Your Skills. Join us for community clean-up days, offer a workshop, or help run an event.
3. Donate to the Cause. Your contribution helps us expand programs, renovate the space, and support youth leadership.
4. Attend Our Events. Whether it’s a meal, music night, or family program—your presence strengthens community ties.
5. Believe in Young People. Support their dreams, show up to their events, and help them lead the way.
Help Us Build the Future, One Third Space at a Time
In a time when so many people feel disconnected, uncertain, or unseen, The Bridge Center offers something radical: hope through proximity. We’re creating a place where neighbors can meet, children can grow, and everyone belongs.
This is more than a building. It’s a movement. And we need you to help make it real.
Join us. Volunteer. Donate. Spread the word. Let’s build a stronger, more connected Pelican Rapids—together.
Visit www.pelicanbridge.org to learn more.
