Jain Digest 1997 04

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 23

"There is nothing more powerful than an idea. No weapon can destroy it; no power can conquer it, except the power of another idea"
Foster Focus
Mid-Atlantic Region Holds First Meeting
On November 23, 1996 the first meeting of the Young Jains of the Mid-Atlantic took place in Long Island, NY. This group, named MAR (Mid-Atlantic Region), is a group whose birth was the result of the need to unify the Jain youth of the region, is under the auspices of the Young Jains of America. At this first exciting meeting ideas were exchanged amongst the attendees and concrete goals were set.
Three major means by which MAR will go about its mission to unify and motivate Jain youth in the Mid-Atlantic Region are via the publication of a regional newsletter, a Web Page, and the organizing of a regional convention some time in 1997. In addition to carrying information about Jain activities and announcements in the region, the newsletter, will also be a collection of editorial essays on contemporary topic such as the death. penalty.
The creation of a Web Page will allow us to take advantage of an inexpensive and efficient way of transmitting information to our members; the internet. With a growing number of our members having access to the internet, it would be. advantageous to all of us if we took advantage of this innovative medium.
The MAR regional convention is a major undertaking and will allow young people to interact with their fellow Jain youth on a regional level. thereby strengthening the existing network. This is an exciting time for the Jain youth of the MidAtlantic Region and we would love for everyone to get involved!
If you are interested in getting involved with YJA leadership on the regional or local levels, please contact one of the Mid-Atlantic Regional
Coordinators.
Foster Focus is a project that was established in 1995. This project was set up to foster and nourish local youth groups nationwide, increase networking and interaction among Jain youth nationwide, and prepare and develop the Jain leaders of tomorrow.
This Year there are several projects that will be undertaken:
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With many lofty goals set, MAR needs the support of the youth in the region in order to make these goals come to life. Getting involved with an organization such as MAR will allow you to. develop many transferable skills, such as leadership and organizational skills. You will also have the satisfaction of helping your community grow, and you will make many long lasting bonds of friendship with young Jains in your region.
Gaurav Kapadia:(516) 829-3316 Anish Sheth: (401) 863-4987
Mech 199
University of Illinois is setting up a nationwide display of youth presentations at the JAINA convention in Toronto. They are also making a Young Jains of America quilt. We are setting up Pen pals across the country. This is a program where anyone can write their interests and hobbies and then we will match you up with a pen pal. You will write to this person up until the JAINA Convention in Toronto you will meet them. Oklahoma City will be collecting pictures from all the center across the nation and creating a Scrapbook. Tulsa will be fostering them in this task since they have put one together before.
There is another division under Foster Focus called People to People. People to People is geared towards small centers that are willing to help out the community by making a project and presenting it to their local society. This helps get the youth together and working on a common project to help the community and also help them become motivated as a center.
There are 4 cities participated right now in
We are trying to find a city that can make decorative cards or postcards for certain Jain holidays.
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this project:
The Jain Youth Group of British Columbia, Toledo and Columbus which will bake cookies and bring gifts to a nursing home, Seattle Collected gifts during Christmas and donated them to the local shelter. San Francisco will also be participating in this project at a later date.
If you or your youth group would like to participate in any of these activities, or have any questions, please contact:
Kavita Jhaveri:(513) 984-1477
LAIN DIGEST
YJA Executive
Board
Chairpersons
Ravi Gada Raju Shah
Regional Coordinators
Mid Atlantic Gaurav Kapadia (516) 829-3316 gauravk@uol.com
Anish Sheth (401) 863-4987 anish sheth@brown.edu
Midwest
Kavita Jhaveri (513) 984-1477 ankaj@aol.com
Reena Shah (217) 398-8111 rp-shah@students.uiuc.edu
South
Ravi Gada
(512) 708-1098 ravigada.200iq@mail.utexas.edu
Moshmee Kalamkar
(512) 505-1313 moshmee@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
Southeast Dina Mehta (954) 345-1660 a0495331@bc seflin org
Shilpa Shah (770) 498-7548 shahshilpa@aol.com
West Kavita Jain (213) 937-4153 kjain@troygould.com
Mamta Jain (714) 633-3609 mamtaj@aol.com
General Coordinators
Raju Shah (203) 436-1338 shah@zoo.cs.yale.edu
Jill Shah
(918) 251-3597 jill-shah@utulsa.edu.
Anish Makim (519) 884-6449
maki2660@mach1.wlu.ca
JAINA Youth Coordinator Pravin Mehta (615) 648-9535 mehtap@apsu01.apsu.edu