Empowerment on the move

A group of children, junior youth and youth animators gather in Lions Park in 2020, just outside the Lions Club, where we'll have an empowerment camp from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 8.

The Northeast Avalon Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment program invites children aged 6 to 10 and junior youth aged 11 to 14 to another fun camp for the Rabbittown neighbourhood - but this time in a new location.

On May 8, we'll hold an empowerment camp at the Lions Club in Lions Park, just a short walking distance from the Stabb Court - Mitchell Court - Keegan Court area.

Please join us again for games, stories, art, and music. We'll also think about ways we can all be of service to our families and neighbours. The aim of the Empowerment Program is to help young people make themselves and their communities better.

To put parents' minds at ease, some youth animators and adult volunteers will meet children and junior youth at around 2 p.m. at the beginning of the Riverdale-to-Mundy Pond Walking Trail, next to 27 Guy Street, about halfway between Whiteway Street and Hoyles Avenue. Please see the map below.

Most of the walk to the Lions Club goes through the green spaces of Kelley's Brook Park and the Lions Park. We'll have to cross only one road - Newtown Road - but the volunteers will make sure the children and junior youth cross safely.

If any older siblings or parents wish to accompany the children and junior youth, they would be most welcome. They are also welcome to attend the camp and see how our program works.

ROUTE FROM GUY STREET TO THE LIONS CLUB

We are looking forward to seeing the children, junior youth and youth who attended our last session at the Rabbittown Community Centre in March. And we welcome any newcomers who wish to drop by and see what the program is about.

Who are we?

The Northeast Avalon Junior Youth Empowerment Team is a social action group dedicated to improving the lives of young people by empowering them to make positive changes in their lives and in their neighbourhoods. The team is made up of local volunteers appointed by the Atlantic Regional Bahá’í Institute.

Activities

Here in the Northeast Avalon region, junior youth aged 11-15 gather every week to engage "in meaningful discussions and artistic expression - through drama, cooperative games, the study of literature, storytelling and acts of community service, which all help the Junior Youth form a strong moral identity and empowers them to contribute to the well-being of their communities and the world at large."

Older adolescents and young adults assist the junior youth as "JY animators." However, it is the junior youth themselves who take the initiative in group project.

A junior youth empowerment group in Toronto, Ontario.

In addition to our junior youth program, we also offer a program for children aged 6 - 10. This program is aimed at the spiritual and moral education of children. While the content is inspired by Baha'i teachings - particularly the oneness of humanity and the unity of religions - our programs are open to people of all faiths.

Our youth animators and sometimes even the junior youth help with children's classes. Currently, our animators and children's class teachers come from Muslim, Christian and Baha'i backgrounds.

A children's class in Norte del Cauca, Colombia. The children and junior youth programs have engaged millions of young people throughout the planet.

A sense of belonging

Our junior youth and children's programs seek to create a warm social atmosphere in which the participants feel welcomed, accepted and respected.

Junior youth participate in the art, music, storytelling and cooperative games. These activities help them to develop their powers of expression and to bond with others in the group.

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The junior youth come up with ideas for community service projects and carry them out themselves. In so doing, they develop their capacity to consult with others, solve problems and be of service to humanity.