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After college, young adults often complain there's nothing to do and no opportunities to meet new people.
The bar scene becomes old and jobs can limit one's free time.
But "20somethings" is offering those young adults in their 20s a chance to gather for music, games and conversation. They meet on the first and third Fridays of every month beginning at 8 p.m. at the Summit Building, corner of Market and Buffalo streets downtown Warsaw.
Ann and Kent Myers sponsor the group. Ann said her daughter, Mindy Schwartz, and her daughter's friend, Amy Hunter, moved to the Warsaw area after college. They talked about the need for a non-bar place to meet people and just hang out.
"I said, 'OK, let's start something,'" said Ann.
She started first by calling the churches in the community and asking them if they had anything for people in their 20s. Myers said they didn't really have what they were looking for in a group. She also asked around for a person who may be interested in being a part of a core leadership group to get a group for 20-somethings started. That's when she found Lee Compson, an intern at Pleasant View Bible Church.
Myers, Schwartz, Hunter and Compson got together and started planning and praying about what Warsaw needed, Ann said. And the group 20somethings was formed in May.
"You just get to know more people," said Compson of what 20somethings offers.
"Honestly," said Kim Lowery, 27, "this is one of my only social outlets. I travel, so I'm never around, so this is perfect."
If it wasn't for the 20somethings, Lowery said, she'd be sitting at home with her cats watching television.
"Everyone's friendly. Some people are shy but as the night goes on, everyone opens up," she said.
Lowery said the group is a good alternative to the bar scene. "It's (the bars) fun sometimes but there comes a point when it gets really tiring."
Miranda Sterling, 21, was there for the fourth time Friday, bringing her friend Emily Nayrocker, 20. "I just like coming and playing games because I have nothing else to do," said Sterling.
"I came since the beginning. People are fun," said Dan Zambrano, 27.
Schwartz said there were two reasons she wanted to start the group. The first was because she was having a difficult time getting connected with her church and the second was because the bar scene "really wasn't my scene."
Moving back to the Warsaw area three years ago, Scwhartz said she had to start her social life all over again. She works in Wabash, too, so that compounds her problem. But the group has given her an outlet for a social life.
"I would say it's met my expectations," she said. With the loose format, "I get the feeling people like it."
Warsaw Community Church, who rents the Summit Building, lets 20somethings meet there.
"We've been having between 20 and 30" people attending each week, said Ann. "We say (we offer) music, games and conversation."
Compson said, "We kind of have new faces every time." Some come on a regular basis, "and that's what we're looking for," said Compson, a mix of regulars and new faces.
At first, Compson said, it was difficult getting the word out about the group to the community. But the word is getting out.
"I think it's really going in the direction we hoped it would," said Compson. He said they knew there were people out there in their 20s looking for somewhere to meet not at a bar where they could connect, and the group has provided that.
Every six weeks, Ann said, they try to offer one social event, whether that's a cookout, a New Year's Eve party or the upcoming Super Bowl party Feb. 6, starting at kick-off time.
Even though the group is not church-based, Ann said, two Bible study groups developed from 20somethings. If someone has events targeted towards the 20somethings crowd, Ann said, the group is a place to let others know about it. It's also a place for young adults to job network.
Those who meet at the Summit building include business owners, orthopedic company employees, engineers, physician assistants, social workers, musicians, Marines and college students, to name a few.
"Eventually, I'm hoping that the young people will get their own leadership group and this will become their group," said Myers.
The food and games themselves are provided by Ann and Kent. Myers "It's all out of our pocket." Occasionally, someone will donate food or money.
"There's no cost, no cover charge or anything."
Compson said, "People kind of come and go as they want." It's not organized, there's no agenda to be followed.
Schwartz said, "It's singles, couples. We accept people even outside their 20s."
