Between Spaces

By Dani Felix, Loretto Justice Fellow at Abara: 

As my fellowship comes to an end, I have been thinking a lot about how important it is to find a sense of community, especially when it feels like there are fewer “third spaces” around us. Third spaces, places that exist outside of home and work, are meant to be areas where people can simply exist, connect, and feel supported. But it often feels like these spaces are harder to come by, especially in our day-to-day routines. That’s part of what made it feel so unexpected yet comforting to find this kind of space through Loretto, in what I originally perceived as a more academic and professional setting.

Throughout my time in Loretto and participation in community meals, I found myself experiencing a level of vulnerability and openness that I had never imagined or expected to live and share through Loretto. With time, I quickly realized that my peers and I had more in common than I initially thought, even if our academic backgrounds or work experiences were completely different. From sharing personal stories of our childhoods to realizing how many of us had similar experiences growing up in Mexico or in the borderlands, I was reminded that there is so much more to each of us beyond school or work.

One of the clearest examples of this for me came during my placement. During moments of hardship and confusion, getting to know my coworker and fellow Loretto Justice Fellow, Luna, helped me navigate those situations in a way that felt much less overwhelming. Although we met through work, which would normally be considered a “second place,” our relationship grew into something much more meaningful than just that. Through her, and through the community Loretto created, I was able to find a sense of belonging and support that felt like a third space, somewhere I could be open, understood, and accompanied throughout those moments. It made me realize that community can form in places you might not expect, and that these connections can make difficult moments feel more manageable.

In this way, Loretto felt almost serendipitous, as it showed me that community does not always exist in clearly defined spaces, nor can it be strictly defined as just one, as these spaces can intersect. It helped me understand that not everything is black and white, and that the lines between what I once thought of as first, second, and third places can easily become blurred. Thanks to Loretto and all the experiences that came with this opportunity, I realized that community can be created within and across these spaces, rather than being limited to them. In moments of uncertainty and hardship, that sense of community becomes even more meaningful.