Junior Youth & Animator Program
“They assist junior youth to navigate through a crucial stage of their lives and to become empowered to direct their energies toward the advancement of civilization.”
21 April 2008 message from the Universal House of Justice
According to the Bahá’í teachings, an individual reaches the age of maturity at 15, when spiritual and moral obligations become binding. The years immediately before this age, then, take on special significance. This is the time when fundamental concepts about individual and collective life are formulated in the mind of an adolescent struggling to leave behind the habits of childhood. Youth between the ages of 12 to 15 have much to say, and whoever treats them as children misses the opportunity to help them form a proper identity. The three units that make up Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth focus on some of the concepts, skills, qualities, and attitudes that experience has shown are required by those wishing to implement a program for the spiritual empowerment of junior youth.
How do I Become an Animator?
Training courses assist you in developing spiritual insight, knowledge, and the skills needed. When starting a new group animators are accompanied by an experienced animator. Periodic gatherings of animators provide continual support as you work together to enhance the overall program. These courses are free of charge.
Examples: DC Baha’i Community (For Youth Animators role in facilitating the Junior Youth Program begin at minute 8:10) | Diana’s Junior Youth Group (2:32) – When you get involved with this program, you’re doing more than helping others. For Diana, (from El Salvador) becoming a mentor changed her own life too. Serving Youth in Early Adolescence (7:25) | The Navajo Junior Youth & Community Beautification Project (6:17) | JYSEP Apartment Complex, Jackson, Tenn.(8:35) | Empowering Junior Youth – TEDx Talks (16:18) | Find Baha’is US call 1-800-22-UNITE
