Recent messages from the Baha'i Universal House of Justice,
and our Baha'i National Spiritual Assembly focus on
- "community-building efforts in clusters throughout the country, hopeful that it will inspire youths everywhere to enter this promising and immensely rewarding arena of service."
- "The unique and remarkable ability of the junior youth spiritual empowerment program to 'shape character and bring forth the praiseworthy qualities latent in junior youth... to release the deep reservoirs of commitment to significant social change.'”
- " The merit of the junior youth spiritual empowerment program lies, first and foremost, in its effectiveness at enhancing the power of expression and the quality of spiritual perception within its participants and in assisting them to develop the capabilities necessary for a life of meaningful service to their communities."
How does this work in a wide community, such as Lake and
Cook counties in Northeast Minnesota, where there are no Baha'i children or
youth (as of January 2013)?
In fact, Junior Youth Empowerment Programs in major metropolitan areas of
the U.S. often involve young adults who are not Baha'i, but who are trained
Junior Youth Animators.
Among the core activities, classes often begin
in neighborhood homes, sometimes hosted by parents who are not Baha'i. A systematic sequence of courses and books,
including community-building practices,
begins with children's classes, first through third grades.
In Silver Bay public schools, I've noticed fourth graders already showing
passion for leadership, bringing spiritual qualities into their artwork, and
getting involved in community. Many teachers do a good job getting root spiritual principles across, and
instilling a passion for community service.
Where is it OK to ask about spiritual experience and beliefs?
By eighth grade, leadership and mentor-ship
are well established in science, math, and creative arts. Many high school
students have strong passions about current social justice issues that require
urgent action.
Baha'is have resources.
Here are links to “Make Peace, Build Community”, a Facebook page and a
blog.
