Community through Twitch
- May 5
- 4 min read
Updated: May 7
KaylaMarieTea's journey on Twitch as a cancer survivor, streamer and community builder.
Written by Izzy Aparicio
Twitch streaming: A community hub
Since its launch in 2011, Twitch has evolved from a niche gaming platform to a leading global streaming platform with millions of viewers and content creators. Originally designed for gamers, Twitch eventually expanded to include music creators, cooking shows, politics and even basic ‘just chatting’ streams, becoming a global community of diverse content.
In the last few years, Twitch has become more than a destination for entertainment. It's become a community. Viewers aren't consumers anymore – they take part, share and can find other like-minded people with whom they can identify. Twitch has become a haven of creative expression and refuge for many, where they can unwind, laugh and find comfort.
Meet KaylaMarieTea
One streamer who represents this spirit of connection is Kayla Thomas, also known by her handle KaylaMarieTea. Born and raised in the Cleveland area, Thomas is a self-described “sleepy variety streamer,” curating a cozy, community-focused experience centered on narrative-heavy games, especially those with a horror or dystopian aspect. She’s currently working her way through “Silent Hill 2,” and although her streams are about the gameplay, there is also the shared experience one gets when watching.
“Even though my streams are few and far between now, I still see familiar faces pop in to say hello and spend time together,” Thomas said. “It's so nice knowing that we've mutually made an impact on each other's lives just by having somewhere safe to go no matter how much time has passed”
Thomas' path to Twitch began during a deeply personal chapter of her life. In 2017, she was diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin lymphoma. Too weak to do much during chemotherapy, Thomas turned to YouTube gaming content for comfort. Soon after, she gave Twitch streaming a try.
“I wanted a hobby I could do that felt productive,” Thomas said. “I realized how much fun it was to have live conversations and friends to keep me company while I played.”
Just a few months after starting, she became a Twitch Affiliate, allowing her to earn money from her streams.
As her channel grew, so did her community and the relationships with other Twitch streamers from all over the world.
“I still have a few very strong friendships that have survived over the past eight years that have become so important in my life,” Thomas said. “I've gone and met these people in person and would consider them some of my closest friendships.”
Online to offline
After attending TwitchCon in 2018 and sitting in on a panel about building community, Thomas returned to Ohio with a plan. She founded the Twitch Cleveland Meetup, a local gathering for Twitch streamers and fans. With in-person events drawing up to 60 attendees, Twitch Cleveland Meetup eventually became “Powered by Twitch,” with an official recognition and sponsorship from Twitch.
These meetups brought people together outside the screen, showing how digital communities can thrive offline too. Even with the disruptions of COVID-19, Thomas’s work set the foundation for a sustained local network of creators and fans.
Streaming for good
Throughout her time on Twitch, Thomas also channeled her community into fundraising for multiple causes. Her community raised:
$2,400 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
$1,500 for the American Cancer Society
$620 for the World Wide Fund (WWF)’s “Swipe Left on Plastic”
$450 for The Bail Project
$410 for the Ukraine Crisis Fund
$310 for AbleGamers
$269 for 1,000 Dreams Fund
$150 for WWF-Australia
$105 for The Loveland Foundation
Thomas and others on Twitch, including other streamers and viewers, continue to show that Twitch is a site where lifelong friendships are made and collective good can be fostered, as audiences are often ready to rally for a cause.
The future for KaylaMarieTea
Though she once streamed regularly for four to five years, Thomas’s presence on Twitch has since slowed. Real life took priority as she built a career as a customer success manager and bought a home.
Still, she returns to streaming occasionally for casual play throughs or to check in with her community. When she does, familiar names are always there to greet her.
She’s entertained the idea of revamping her channel and returning more consistently, but realizes that the Twitch landscape is always changing.
“To have a quality channel, you should be consistent and always working to improve the viewer experience and strengthen your community involvement,” Thomas said.
With the rise of TikTok and YouTube Shorts, discoverability is now more complex and time-consuming. Maintaining a strong presence across platforms can be draining.
But whether she streams weekly or once a month, one thing remains true: she has made a difference.
“I feel very proud of the social impact I was able to make while streaming,” Thomas said.
Thomas’ story is a powerful reminder of what Twitch can truly be – not just a place to watch – but a place to belong.
