Chronic illness creates real barriers to social connection. Fatigue, pain, and brain fog challenge our ability to participate fully in social gatherings, sustain conversations, or provide the consistent effort that friendships need to thrive. Many people living with chronic illness are bedbound or housebound. The sad irony is that social connection improves health outcomes, but those most in need of connection often experience extreme isolation.
Our Virtual Spaces
Second Haven is a virtual community designed intentionally for people with chronic conditions. What makes us different is that we created our community within Minecraft, a versatile, three-dimensional world where people can create, explore, and connect.
We have community members ranging in age from 16 to 65. Some join with family members. Members choose how they want to engage: exploring the landscape, building houses, going on quests, or battling monsters (only if and when they feel ready). At its heart, our Minecraft world offers an immersive, ever-present space in which to interact without pressure or judgment.
In addition to Minecraft, our community includes a companion Discord server where low-pressure, ongoing communication and sharing is possible. This forum is heavily moderated to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, and people still learning Minecraft can join and connect through Discord.
We Need You
Your support will help us sustain Second Haven and foster continued community building among participants. We provide careful moderation, ongoing support, and low-demand events in order to build a warm and welcoming setting where people can belong without exhausting their limited energy.
Every day, we see the impact of Second Haven on individuals and families. For someone experiencing chronic illness, a casual conversation in a relaxed virtual world can be profoundly healing.
How You Can Help
We can't sustain this alone. We need your help. Your donation will support the following:
- ongoing hosting fees for our Minecraft server and website
- the one-time cost of Minecraft for new participants who can't afford it
- outreach for people who may benefit but are unaware of Minecraft or Second Haven
- funds for peer support specialists, group facilitators, and other experts for supportive services and virtual events offered to participants
We are dedicated to the growth and endurance of Second Haven for years to come.
Join Us!
In exchange for your support, we invite you to join our community and experience this world alongside us. Our doors are always open to allies and supporters! We offer one-on-one orientations and tech support to help new participants get started. Experience the fulfillment and joy of creating together in our shared world!
Visit SecondHavenMC.org for more information, including links to our Discord community and instructions for joining our Minecraft world.
Thank you for your support and generosity!
