Jun 3, 2026 · 3 min · 7 segments
It can be hard as an adult, to find new friends or like-minded people to hang out with. For women who are also sober - it can be very hard finding places where alcohol is not being served. So…
Madeline SmithGuest
Heather JordanHost[gentle music] She's building bonds beyond the bar scene.
It can be hard as an adult to find new friends or like-minded people to hang out with, and for women who are also sober, it can be really hard finding places where alcohol is not being served.
So Madeline Smith of San Clemente created an organization called OC Sober Gals where women can get together, have dinner, go to a movie, just simply connect.
I personally am someone who is sober in recovery, and I was looking for a group of women who were like-minded where we could go and just connect authentically without the pressure of having to drink.
So I started this social group with the intention of just meeting people and finding people with like-minded interests.
Madeline has added an element of meaningful outreach, so each time the OC Sober Gals get together, they give back to the community as well.
We've partnered with a couple local charities, one of which is the Lynn House in Costa Mesa.
We've done some really fun things, like we had a group of women come, and we all put together packages and gave them Christmas presents.
Um, and we're just so blessed to be able to have fun with other women and then also give back to women who, you know, are in a tough spot in life.
In less than a year of being a nonprofit, they have grown to nearly 500 women in their Facebook group, and about 100 of them are active members who attend many of the in-person events.
Madeline says she would like to grow the organization so it can include more women and even young ladies who are seeking community.
I have gotten so much positive feedback from women who've told me, like, "I've never felt more accepted than when I came to your group." So my heart is just really full because I felt like I longed for this within my own personal journey in life.
I do have a heart for the young teenage girls right now because the world has changed a lot.
Um, you know, my ultimate goal is to be able to expand this to other regions and partner with multiple charities that feed our mission.
[gentle music] She's building bonds beyond the bar scene.
It can be hard as an adult to find new friends or like-minded people to hang out with, and for women who are also sober, it can be really hard finding places where alcohol is not being served.
So Madeline Smith of San Clemente created an organization called OC Sober Gals where women can get together, have dinner, go to a movie, just simply connect.
I personally am someone who is sober in recovery, and I was looking for a group of women who were like-minded where we could go and just connect authentically without the pressure of having to drink.
So I started this social group with the intention of just meeting people and finding people with like-minded interests.
Madeline has added an element of meaningful outreach, so each time the OC Sober Gals get together, they give back to the community as well.
We've partnered with a couple local charities, one of which is the Lynn House in Costa Mesa.
We've done some really fun things, like we had a group of women come, and we all put together packages and gave them Christmas presents.
Um, and we're just so blessed to be able to have fun with other women and then also give back to women who, you know, are in a tough spot in life.
In less than a year of being a nonprofit, they have grown to nearly 500 women in their Facebook group, and about 100 of them are active members who attend many of the in-person events.
Madeline says she would like to grow the organization so it can include more women and even young ladies who are seeking community.
I have gotten so much positive feedback from women who've told me, like, "I've never felt more accepted than when I came to your group." So my heart is just really full because I felt like I longed for this within my own personal journey in life.
I do have a heart for the young teenage girls right now because the world has changed a lot.
Um, you know, my ultimate goal is to be able to expand this to other regions and partner with multiple charities that feed our mission.
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