"Among the young ones in the community are those known as junior youth, who fall between the ages of, say, 12 and 15. They represent a special group with special needs as they are somewhat in between childhood and youth when many changes are occurring within them. Creative attention must be devoted to involving them in programmes of activity that will engage their interests, mold their capacities for teaching and service, and involve them in social interaction with older youth. The employment of the arts in various forms can be of great value in such activity."
The Universal House of Justice

The Training Institute of Ontario is pleased to announce its summer training initiative! It is aimed at assisting youth who wish to help their younger peers form a strong moral identity in their early adolescent years, and empower them to contribute to the well being of their communities.

In its 12 December 2011 Message, the Universal House of Justice, wrote:

It should be remembered that the Baha'i children's class teacher and the junior youth group animator, entrusted with so much responsibility for strengthening the moral foundations of the community, will, in most places, be a young person in his or her teens.

At this time, no greater service can be rendered by youth than moving forward the growth and development of the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program. Due to their closeness in age and experience, youth have the unique ability to assist in the moral and spiritual empowerment of this special age group.

Youth from across Ontario are being encouraged to register for one of three Book Five Trainings, which will be offered in the Toronto, Ottawa and Kitchener-Waterloo clusters.

Each gathering will be 12 days in duration, during which participants will study Book Five and learn how to initiate and sustain junior youth groups. It is hoped that youth who do not reside in the host clusters will be better able to initiate junior youth groups when they return to their home clusters. Billeting is available for youth who require accommodation. Participants are required to commit to the full 12 days of the training.

Please click here to register, applications are due June 3rd