Jain Digest 2005 07

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

Page 16

JAINA COMMITTEES
left three million people homeless, JAINA was there. WCS has rehabilitated 250 families who lost everything and had no source of income, WCS built a township, namely Vardhman Nagar, near Bhujodi, Kutch - 6.3 kilometers to the East of Bhuj. The township includes 250 houses (each unit comprising 367 square feet), a school (primary, middle, and high school will be included), a library, a community center, a medical clinic, and a computer and science center WCS has build primary and middle school, library and community hall.
• World Community Service of JAINA helped earth quake victims of Morbi, Gujarat People of Morbi has formed Sumatinath Nagar for two hundred earthquakes affected families and had requested help from WCS to rehabilitate this people and JAINA contributed $30,000 to Sumatinath Nagar for the houses. This contribution helped at least 80 families, who were earthquake victims.
In 2001 we have started the "World Trade Center Victim's Relief Fund. WCS has donated to New York fire fighters fund $12,431
⚫ In 2002 World Community Service of JAINA helped riot victims of Ahmedabad, Gujarat JAINA had contributed Ms. Nisha Jain more than $1,000 to managing trustee Kumarpal Desai of Anukampa Trust Ahmedabad, Gujarat to help victims of communal riots.
In 2003 purchased School Bus and Ambulance for Gujarat Earthquake victims.
• In 2004 helped 16 families of K.V.O.Nagar of Bhuj, victims of Gujarat earthquake by providing a grant of Rs.60, 000 (sixty thousands) per family to build new houses.
• In 2005 WCS started Tsunami victim's fund. We are working with our local partner Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana from Pune, India. We are adopting one school in CFO Nallaha, Middle Andaman, comprising of 8+2 classrooms (6,300Sq. ft.). Construction and set-up for the opening of the school would be completed by the end of May 2005 so that the students can resume their academic year during the 1st week of June 2005.
each other. The intimate setting of the regional conferences provides an excellent atmosphere to share ideas, ask questions and expound upon religious values with others.
3. One of the most useful tools of YJA is our website, www.yja.org. We made the content and the visuals more appealing and maintained it as a place for young people to come and explore by making the site more user friendly and interactive. We provided more educational content to the website with indepth explanations on Paryushan, the life of Mahavir, meanings of Stavans, and a Jain Glossary.
4. By far, the biggest accomplishment this year is the sixth biennial YJA Convention from July 1-4, 2004 in Santa Clara, CA at the Santa Clara Westin hotel. We witnessed nearly 800 young Jains from all over North America, UK, Australia, Singapore, and India unite in the Bay Area, To See, To Know, and To Realize! Participants were enthralled by the various speakers such as the Samnijis, Sadhviji Shilapiji, and our keynote speaker, Dr. Deepak Jain of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, to name a few.
YOUNG JAIN PROFESSIONALS
1. Coordinated a variety of Local Programs throughout North America. (Networking dinners in NYC, DC, SE Houston, Philadelphia; Bowling outing in NJ, Rafting trip in NY/NJ/PA, picnic in Bay Area, Holi beach outing in LA, etc.) Working on networking dinners in Toronto, Boston, and Chicago and a 'Contemporary Conversations in Jainism' discussion event in DC.
2. Planning the 7th annual YJP convention to be held in San Antonio, TX over Columbus Day weekend (Oct 8-11). This year's theme is 'Jainism: An Evolving Perspective' where our aim is to discuss how our views and practices of Jainism have changed over time.
3. Published two issues of "The New Jain", YJP's quarterly online newsletter. This year the newsletter adopted a completely redesigned format as well as added a "Dear Jain" advice column. The upcoming September issue is due shortly.
4. Supported and promoted Community Service events in North America and abroad. Upcoming events include a volunteer trip to Kutch, Gujarat in conjunction with KOJAIN, a volunteer service event at Children's Hospital in Birmingham, and fundraising for the Pawapuri School Project.
YOUNG JAINS OF AMERICA
1. As a community service initiative, the Regional Coordinators took to organizing our second annual YJA H4H event. Teaming up with Habitat for Humanity (H4H), YJA sent motivated young people, in each of the six regions, to locations all around the United States. These youth put Ahimsa in Action by helping to build homes for the less fortunate.
2. Regional conferences were scheduled in each region to help foster close ties between Jain youth who live closer to Ms. Suchita Gala
Ve son our thoughts, and we reap our actions; We sow our actions, and we reap our habits; We sow our habits, and we reap our characters; We son our characters, and we reap our destiny.
For Private & Personal Use Only 14. JAIN DIGEST⚫ SUMMER 2005