19-Year-Old New To The US -- How Do I Help Him Find Kids His Age

[Anonymous]

My cousin just moved to the US a week ago and he will be staying with us (NW DC) for an extended period of time. He speaks French, Spanish & English, has applied for a work Visa and wants to go back to school in a year or so. Once he's able to work, I know he'll meet make some new friends but he won't be able to work for 3 months.

All of my friends have elementary aged children and I don't know anyone with teenagers. How can I help my smart and kind cousin find a social network of people his age? I'm stumped!

At 19, I think it's so crucial for him to have a friend or two. Any ideas or thoughts are much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I am assuming he is French? Check with the Embassy of France - they are probably very familiar with various social groups for French natives.

I would also check the meetup site and see is there is anything available.

[Anonymous]

Any of those friends with young children have au pairs? That might connect him quickly to some young people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am assuming he is French? Check with the Embassy of France - they are probably very familiar with various social groups for French natives.

I would also check the meetup site and see is there is anything available.

He has lived in France for the past 11 years but is from Cuba and here as a Cuban. I did check the French Embassy site and they don't have anything like that listed but since you mentioned it, I think it might be worth calling them. Thanks for the help!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any of those friends with young children have au pairs? That might connect him quickly to some young people.

Unfortunately no, but I am trying to find out if there is a network of Au pairs who meet up once in a while. Not how to find that but I'm going to look in that direction as well. Thank you!!!

[Anonymous]

That's interesting. What kind of visa did he come here on?

[Anonymous]

Sign up for a sports league. There are bocce, ultimate frisbee, soccer and other sports leagues to attract young adults. Maybe take an evening art class or something like that. Look at meet ups that might interest him. Potomac Peddlers. Running clubs.

[Anonymous]

Agree with previous poster that signing him up for a community, young adult sports team is a positive way to go. Also, if he is interested in fitness, then maybe a gym membership to help fill his time till his work papers are processed. What are his interests as you might Google young adults to see what other groups there are in DC? Does he have any college at all or just high school in his background since that might influence the kind of young adults he might connect with most easily. Any chance of an interest in church then look at some of the parishes that might have young adult groups.

You do not indicate his background or the reasons for coming to the states, but in any case although not technically "his guardian," you are sort of taking on the parental role so make sure to go over what you consider appropriate for a teen his age in terms of the rules of drinking, drugs and dating scene here, admonitions to any teen to have safe sex, but also as an alien and what your "house rules" are going to be. If you have kids yourself, it is fair that you set rules to be followed with them in mind, too. For the issue would be to help him avoid running into "the street crowd" as opposed to "the educated crowd" of young guys and gals.

[Anonymous]

He's out of high school, I'm gathering? There's a very active French meetup group in DC, lots of singles and college age students. Try checking it out.

[Anonymous]

Maybe a church youth group if he goes to church.

[Anonymous]

If he is Catholic, St. Thomas Apostle church in Woodley Park has an active young adult group. The 7:30 pm mass on Sunday is full of young people.

[Anonymous]

All fabulous ideas! Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond. He's so special to me and I look forward to pointing him in the right direction. Cheers!

[Anonymous]

Good ideas, but also remember he is 19 foreign or not he is a young man. As much as you love him make sure you aren't hovering too much.

[Anonymous]

Why don't you sign him up to coach soccer somewhere and let it move on from there. The point is to get out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good ideas, but also remember he is 19 foreign or not he is a young man. As much as you love him make sure you aren't hovering too much.

Thank you, I definitely understand what you mean, which is exactly why I want him to find some friends. Having outside activities on his own will give him the freedom he needs. Since it's only week one, I'm definitely hovering. It's so refreshing to get responses with genuine concern and good advice. Thank you!