For some people working on Mackinac Island, community doesn’t happen automatically. Between long shifts and a fast-paced season, it can be difficult to find time and space to connect with others outside of work. That’s the gap Mackinac Connect aims to fill.

Founded in 2022, Mackinac Connect is still early in its story, but its purpose has been clear from the start. According to director Sam Christie, everything comes back to a single word: connect. That focus guides the organization’s work, from linking employees with resources to helping residents, workers, and businesses build relationships beyond the workplace.

One of the first ways Mackinac Connect puts that mission into action is through its seasonal item and clothing exchange. Held at the beginning and end of each season, the event brings Island residents and employees together in a special way. It saves Island residents and workers from making trips to the mainland to donate items, while also helping new and returning employees access essential goods.

“That first event is really a statement,” Christie said. “It shows what we care about and how we want people to feel when they’re here.”

From there, connection becomes the constant thread.

Each Monday night, Mackinac Connect hosts game nights at the Community Hall, which Christie describes as the organization’s signature gathering. The choice to center games is deliberate. Games create a shared experience that helps people move past small talk, allowing connections to form more naturally and quickly.

“People come in as strangers, and then they become familiars,” Christie said. Over time, those familiar faces often grow into friendships and support systems that help people through a demanding season on the Island.

On Wednesday evenings, Mackinac Connect facilitates donated employee meals in the basement of Ste. Anne’s Church, serving between 150 and 200 people each week from June through the end of August. These meals have been in place for many years, and are now carried forward by generous community members and Mackinac Connect.

The weekly dinners rely heavily on donations of food, time, and space, and Christie said the community consistently steps up to make them possible.

Sunday nights offer a different kind of gathering. In partnership with Watercolor Café, Mackinac Connect hosts arts and crafts events that provide a creative space for people to unwind and meet others. While supplies are provided, the focus remains on conversation and connection. Last season, Christie said, the events became so popular that the space was often filled beyond capacity.

While the activities vary between games, meals, and creative nights, the mission remains the same. Mackinac Connect’s tagline, “here you belong,” reflects a commitment to creating welcoming spaces where Island workers can meet people outside of work and feel supported.

Looking ahead, Mackinac Connect is focused on longer-term solutions that support accessibility and well-being on the island. The organization is working with the Mackinac Island Community Foundation and the Mackinac Island Medical Center to explore ways to improve access to health resources, as well as other ideas that will continue to shape how Island workers are supported throughout their time on the Island.

One early step is the Mackinac Island Ride and Bike Share, a Facebook group created in response to frequent requests from employees seeking transportation solutions, both on and off-Island. The group offers a trusted way for residents and long-term employees to share bikes or rides with workers.

For those arriving on Mackinac Island with a job, Mackinac Connect offers something just as essential: a place to land and connect.