Inspired by the growing Camerados movement in the UK, a small group of us decided to start hosting Public Living Rooms in Boston in April 2023. Since then, we have hosted pop-up PLRs in parks, at block parties, and on closed-down streets in Boston! We know how hard it can be to connect with others in real life, and so we wanted to create spaces where people could come and just be themselves and be met with non-judgmental, kind fellow humans and share some stories, cheers over a cup of coffee, and collaborate over arts and crafts.
In tumultuous times, people need community more than ever. People need neighbors they can call on if they need a hand with something. People need a third space, away from their home or work environment, where they can just chill out with people who are willing to meet them where they are in that moment. Ultimately, people need each other, and that is why Boston PLR means so much to us.