Introducing Your Third Place~ (JRC)

"Everybody have somewhere

They go when they feel there's no way,out"

When Chris Martin sang those words in his song Chillspot, he was epitomizing American sociologist Ray Oldenburg's concept of third place.

Sociologist Ray Oldenburg introduced the concept of the third place in 1980, when the first place (home) and the second place (workplace) were distinct. In present-day society (especially after the COVID-19 pandemic), the line between the first place (home) and the second place (workplace) has become blurred, as people continue working from home. 

Even with the continuous overlap between the first place (home) and the second place (workplace), the concept of the third place hasn't changed as much since 1980.

The third place was and still is the social surroundings that are separate from the two usual social environments, of the first place (home) and the second place (workplace). Examples of third places include cafes, clubs, libraries, theaters, parks, gyms, and places of worship, i.e, churches. 

A third place is what Chris Martin would call a chill spot. Ideally, the third place(Chill spot) is a place where people can relax, interact, and build a sense of community, often with little to no cost to visit. However, depending on where you reside and your current financial status, a chill spot may not be easily accessible or affordable.

This (inaccessibility and unaffordability) shouldn't be the case when it comes to a chill spot. Unfortunately, inaccessibility and unaffordability can't be wished away in places like Kibra. That is where Joshua Resource Center comes in.

Joshua Resource Center located at the heart of Kibra near the Olympic stage, is a chill spot [there's a library, a place to worship, there's no café yet though meals and drinks are served at times, no park though there's a place(s) where people can come and chill, plans are underway to come up with a gym, as table tennis(ping pong), Chess, Dart are already there ] that doubles up as a healing spot as group therapy and one on one therapy sessions are offered for free.

 In addition to that, Joshua serves as a training center for entrepreneurship, Information technology(IT), and baking & pastry.Every week,  speakers of different calibre come to offer talks, training, and seminars. 

"But I can't access all that! "You may protest.

Yes, you can.

Remember how we agreed that the distinctive line between the first place (home) and the second place has become blurry as people are now working from home? 

We are also now bringing JRC(Your third place) to your home and/or your workplace. 

From the comfort of your home and/or your workplace (school), we shall relax, interact, and build a sense of community together (after all, that's what third places are all about), in addition to walking the journey of healing together.

As much as Joshua Resource Center (JRC, as we abbreviate it) will be your Online Third Place. Nothing bars you from dropping in physically from Monday to Friday(9 am-5 pm) to borrow or read a book, for a one-on-one therapy session, for group therapy on Thursdays from 2 pm, or to just chill, or better yet, enjoy a game of chess or ping pong.

Did I mention the physical JRC is the Thugz mansion Tupac rapped about without the liquor and smoking? My bad.

The physical JRC is akin to what Anthony Hamilton sings his heart out when He is featured in Thugz Mansion.

"Ain't no place I'd rather be

Chillin' with homies and family

Ain't no place I'd rather be

Only place that's right for me"

As I wrestle these words to submission, my colleagues have all gone home. And as much as JRC has become home for my wounded person (story for another day) and others, I have to step out to my evening chill spot.

How about you?

Where do you go to breathe, unwind, and feel at home(home away from home?)

Before I leave, though, I will be hovering in the comment section to read all about your chill spots (your third places).Where do you go to breathe, unwind, and feel at home?

Follow JRC On Instagram@joshua_resource

Facebook : Joshua Resource Center

(Written by)M.D.Njiru who is a work of art/an artist in progress.

He is an author,a stand up comedian/mental health advocate.