The Little Cart That Could
A New Creative Approach For Connecting People Amidst Social Distancing
DENVER, CO, MAY 27, 2020—Imagine walking in the park and finding a mobile cart that instead of serving ice cream or hot dogs offered hands-on games and activities that encouraged strangers to forge meaningful connections.
Sure: a delightful encounter pre-pandemic.
Now imagine a mobile cart that offers hands-on games and activities that encourage strangers to make meaningful connections in a virtual space amidst COVID-19.
Introducing: The Meet Cart by Emily Hope Dobkin, local creative and founder of Betterish.
Created as a mobile structure where strangers meet, greet, and play, The Meet Cart is where unfamiliar people become unexpected pals. In a world of great disconnect, divide, and now social isolation, Emily Hope Dobkin has created this pop-up social space where simple games and activities bring people together in fun, meaningful, and engaging ways.
“Though we are finding new ways to connect with friends and family, we’re not able to connect to new, fresh faces,” says Dobkin. “Research suggests there’s actually a positive impact when we connect with strangers, both for our own and others’ wellbeing. As humans, we are inherently social creatures who are made happier and healthier when connecting with others. So I’ve decided to encourage those connections at The Meet Cart,” she further explains.
Here in Denver, The Meet Cart has been to creative events, festivals, birthday parties, museums, schools, parks, donut shops and bakeries. And in the past seven weeks, it’s been making waves in a virtual space and now connecting people across the globe.
“Hands down: The Meet Cart is my new favorite bar. Seriously though. I’ve met so many incredible people, bonded with strangers, and have learned that we are all so much more similar than we often think. Emily is doing something very special that the world desperately needs right now,” says Sarah Moe, a recent Meet Cart participant.
All pandemic long, anyone and everyone can have a chance to hop into a virtual Meet Cart session whether it’s simply to connect with strangers, to celebrate a birthday or graduation party, or perhaps your company needs a happy hour where people aren’t just aimlessly staring at each other on Zoom. With every virtual Meet Cart experience, participants are invited to cultivate in-depth connections in a digital world, yet still in a way that integrates hands-on approaches with tangible resources.
“My sister’s virtual party was so fun and also proved to be a beautiful moment that brought my family closer together. The way Emily facilitated from The Meet Cart created a space for us to share things in our hearts that we never speak out loud,” says Nancy Garcia, who recently organized a Meet Cart birthday party for her sister that included her Grandmother—this was the first time they were able to celebrate together in 13 years.
The Meet Cart is currently offering the following virtual opportunities for people from all walks of life to connect:
Meetful Mondays: Strangers unite! Join in on some free fun and play a game that mixes scribbling and storytelling in a way that bridges people for the better.
Birthday Parties: You know when you go to a party and you know the person being celebrated, and you know some of their other friends but not really so it’s kind of awkward? In playing a game geared for strangers to get to know each other in a light-hearted creative format, the Meet Cart becomes a vehicle that transforms social lulls into laughter. Whether you’re turning 94 or 11 (yes both of those parties have happened), people can now make their happy days happen with a virtual b’day bash that will ensure fun is had by all invited and involved.
Happy Hours: Hey remember when we could clink cups with colleagues after a long day? The Meet Cart is bringing back the Happy Hour…or at least some moments to socialize with coworkers during these distanced days through a format that’s interactive, hands-on, and down-right fun.
For more information, visit www.doitbetterish.com and follow @betterish on Instagram and Facebook. Further press materials can be requested by filling out the form below or contacting Emily Hope Dobkin at 860-324-0988.
ABOUT BETTERISH
Betterish is a platform that creatively encourages people to make better things, better relationships and all-around better days. Through workshops, creative consulting, pop-up events, and designing interactive learning opportunities in community and collaboration, this is a space dedicated to exploring the small actions, experiences, and lessons that lead to bigger things while acknowledging process over perfectionism.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
The brains, brawn, and breadth behind Betterish is Emily Hope Dobkin. Emily is a hybrid of a community organizer meets arts educator meets creative entrepreneur. Twisting together craft, play, and reflection her work with Betterish is about producing innovative experiences that nourish creativity, encourages social connection, and fuels empowerment.
FOR MORE DETAILS AND INFORMATION, FILL OUT THIS FORM AND EMILY WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH YOU SHORTLY.