When I meet other people my age in Vicksburg, they always seem so relieved.

I know the feeling, especially because I am a transplant.

Vicksburg seems to be full of school-age children and parents, but 20-somethings can be more difficult to find.

As social as I am, I thrive on meeting and talking to new people. This is one of the reasons I pursued a career in journalism.

One doesn’t need to look far for interesting and fun individuals in the River City, but I for one came up short when I was looking for peers my own age. That is, until I found Vicksburg Young Professionals.

The organization was started by the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce as a network of young professionals between the ages 21 and 40. Vicksburg Young Professionals offers opportunities for personal and professional growth through networking events, professional development seminars and service projects.

I knew immediately this was something I wanted to be a part of, and luckily I work for a company that made it easy.

The Vicksburg Post requires, er, strongly encourages us join a local civic organization. I’m not complaining; they even pay for it.

Getting involved in the community helps reporters develop contacts and more importantly, put down roots.

Since joining Vicksburg Young Professionals, I’ve met some of the best and brightest that Vicksburg has to offer, representing an array of businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies here in town.

The last event I went to was an elected official meet and greet luncheon at The Bluff, which was well attended by those serving in our local government. Who knows if this election cycle had anything to do with that.

Other networking events have included Hors d’oeuvres and Cocktails at Martin’s at Midtown and a trivia night at KJ’s River Town Grille.

While the organization may seem like just a bunch of fun, these young people are also committed to giving back to the community that gives so much to them.

Vicksburg Young Professionals donates time to the United Way’s Day of Caring and participates in an annual clothing drive among other projects.

The organization is also provides programming to develop skills through guest speakers and workshops. Vicksburg Young Professional Adrian Reddix recently hosted a social media workshop to teach members more about Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Are you a young professional in Vicksburg looking to greet, grow and give back with your peers?

I hope to see you at the next Vicksburg Young Professionals event Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. for The Taste of Anchuca, a food and wine pairing event. Be my guest.

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Austin Vining is a reporter for The Vicksburg Post. Email him at austin.vining@vicksburgpost.com.