Utah woman builds community with in-person singles events

Study after study has shown social isolation is a major problem, but many Americans are unsure how to fix it.

According to the American Psychiatric Association's 2026 poll , nearly half of U.S. adults report experiencing loneliness at least once a week, with 16% of adults saying they experience loneliness every day.

Many who have used online apps to meet friends and potential romantic partners have left unsatisfied, according to data released by Pew Research Center.

Molly Bitton, a Utah resident and "Chief Mingling Officer" of "Have You Met Events," was one of them.

"I have gone through several stints of dating apps and really just craving meeting people in real life," Bitton told the Deseret News, yet she wasn't finding the community she craved, so she decided to take another route: hosting events designed to bring together single adults.

The first event Bitton hosted was a singles 5K event that brought together about 80 people.

"It started with kind of a conversation with some friends," Bitton said, "and then it just grew from there."

Bitton now puts on a variety of "Have You Met" events for single adults, typically spanning early 30s to late 60s. Activities include hikes, game nights, karaoke, golf lessons, crafts and even simple nature walks.

"My goal is to provide a space and to provide a support system for people to show up and get comfortable being social," Bitton said. "I want to provide a space that gets people off the apps, in person, sharing energy and doing that activity that gets them to be just who they are at that moment and just relax and chill."

Julie Eggertsen, a single adult living in Utah, started attending Have You Met after finding out about the group through social media.

"I just saw her on Facebook and was like, OK, maybe I want to try this just to get myself out, out there and not stay home," Eggertsen told the Deseret News.

Now, Eggertsen has been to "a handful" of events that have helped her meet new people, she said.

Peter Brown, another Have You Met attendee, said the events help change the "dynamic" of purely digital relationships.

"Everyone's stuck at their computers looking at their phones," Brown said. "Doing stuff like this actually gets you some face-to-face time."

Greg Hayley, a Have You Met participant, said he started attending the events to help him "get out" after losing his wife to cancer several years earlier.

"You're not going to meet friends behind a screen, so you're going to have to get out there and take some risk," Hayley said.

Bitton said she hopes the events continue to bring people connection in the digital age.

"I just love community. I love building community," Bitton said. "I truly believe in the magic that happens when you get people together and the energy that's shared is important."