Moving can be a stressful and emotional time period for youth. It is important to ensure that our youth adapt and settle into their new communities. Here are a few easy ways to get them involved in their new community; this way, they can make new friends, discover new activities or hobbies that they can engage in, and find their part in the community to make them feel included and at home.
Babysitting. This is one of the best ways to get involved in a community. This way, youth can meet new people and new children. The more accustomed you get with the people, the easier it will become to get information about your new community and you will be more comfortable seeing familiar faces around!
Dog walking/sitting. Animals can also make you more complacent in your new area. Seeing a friendly pet face around will surely make it easier to get comfortable. This is also another way to get to know the people within the more than likely small community. Performing odd jobs such as these can make you better known, and introduce youth to new friends, schoolmates or more potential work offers.
Clubs. This is also one of the best ways to get comfortable and will help you settle right in! More than likely, your community will have some, or lots of youth clubs/groups. Try something new! Finding new hobbies and interests can surely make you settle in better; also, being part of a specific club or group will expose you to people who have the same interests (new friends)!
Sports. As previously mentioned, joining activities like this, which you enjoy, put you in an environment with people who like the same thing. This is perhaps the easiest way to make a sure friend or two! Team members have to have some sort of connection and bond with each other, so young people will find it easier getting more comfortable in a community when being involved in something like a sports team. Not to mention, playing a sport you have previously played in your old community (or just doing something you’ve always loved doing) can make you feel more at home and comfortable.
Jobs/volunteering. One can volunteer at almost any age. Young people can donate their time to events such as bake sales or help out at events like family fun day etc. If you’re old enough, find a job in a place forcing you to interact with community members daily. This can include fast food restaurants, bookstores, art stores, movie theaters etc. Also, be bold. If you choose to get a job like this, make sure you are charismatic and friendly; work your charm and show people how great you are, this way you can make acquaintances with lots of people and maintain a good reputation that can benefit you in the future.
And that’s all! Five simple ways to settle in and get comfortable in a new community.