New to Syracuse? Here’s how to find your community

Moving from Toronto to Syracuse didn’t come easy for Raafia Khan. The 28-year-old said she left behind her friends, family and normal routines when her husband got a job offer in the central New York region. Nearly a year after moving, Khan was still searching for her new community.

Last month she attended Friendship Fest, an event meant for people to bond over common interests such as art, traveling and pop culture.

“I am very introverted, and I would not be doing stuff like this, but I feel like it was a good opportunity to kind of step out of my comfort zone and give me a chance to meet people,” Khan said.

The need for connection is a universal part of the human experience, said Miu Chung Yan, a professor of social work at the University of British Columbia. People need these emotional bonds, and seek friends and community to fulfill those evolutionary needs.  “We always want to have someone who we can talk to or someone we can even rely on,” Yan said.

Kendra Powell, the organizer of Friendship Fest and founder of Lunar Art Events, has noticed many people in the area who seemed lonely. “I saw that there was a real need for people to have human connection with each other,” she said.

Newcomers face a challenge when moving to a new city: finding places where they can build relationships and feel a sense of belonging, Powell said. Her business focuses on creating interactive opportunities for adults to form connections in a “low pressure way.” While forming friendships as an adult can be hard, Powell said, there are opportunities across Syracuse that make it a little easier.

Building community in Syracuse as a newcomer begins with finding activities that bring you joy, she added.

Here are some special options Syracuse offers for new residents:

Faith-based Opportunities:

For new Syracusans seeking religious and spiritual opportunities, the central New York community offers a wide range of congregations for a plethora of faiths. The region boasts more than 500 religious organizations, according to Cause IQ. 

Recent Syracuse University graduate Alexander Hamza said joining Redeemed Christian Church of God his freshman year introduced him to like-minded people. 

“I’ve been in church almost all my life and finding that one community helps me stay centered and keep everything close to God,” he said.

Hamza learned about the Nigerian church through a friend he made on campus. He said the church reminded him of his home church in Connecticut.

“We see each other around, help each other out,” he said. “It’s a very nice community.”

An invitation four years ago led Hamza to grow in his faith and get involved in his church community. He joined the choir two years into going to the church, despite being shy. 

“I am still shy, which is funny,” he said.

Fitness Opportunities:

The Syracuse Run Club, Syracuse Bike Party and other fitness communities bring people of different experience levels together through shared interests and regular meetups. 

Hamza said some of his closest friendships began while playing basketball on the court or spotting someone at the gym. 

“Those bonds have helped me get close to others,” he said. “My time in Syracuse wouldn’t be what it is without the people that have out around me.”

This fall, active people can enjoy indoor pickleball, Zumba classes at Thornden Park and beginner-level Tai-Chi classes.

Creativity Opportunities:

Those interested in creative hobbies can find events through Lunar Art Events, the Everson Museum of Art and Right Mind Syracuse. These organizations host workshops and gatherings for people looking to explore their artistic passions while meeting new people. 

“With these socials, I’m trying to open the door up for acquaintances that can become friendships,” Powell said. 

Syracuse University:

Syracuse University offers students more than 300 student organizations and various activities throughout the season.

For the city’s sports fans, SU’s football team kicks off its season, starting Sept. 5, at the JMA Wireless Dome. The Department of Drama will put on theater performances from productions such as “Rent” and “Henry V” beginning in October. Hamza, who was a member of more than five student organizations including the One World Dance Team, advises students to get out of their comfort zones.

“Immersing yourself into multiple of different things helps you broaden your scope about not just your college experience, but life overall,” Hamza said.