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Young Jains of America
By Sunny Dharod
Jain
Sunny Dharod is from Lenexa, Kansas and is affiliated with the Kansas City Jain Sangh. He has been active with the YJA community for three years, serving as the 2013-2014 Director of Fundraising and 2015-2016 Executive Board Co-Chair.
Purpose Young Jains of America (YJA) is an entity of the Federation of the Jain Associations in North America (JAINA), a non-profit religious organization. YJA puts emphasis on projects related to Jain youth from the ages of 14-29. The main objectives include the following:
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To raise awareness about Jain ideals and principles in North America and the world; To create a forum for sharing Jain religion; To instill a sense of pride among youth about Jain heritage; To address the problems, difficulties, and concerns facing Jain youth;
YOUNG JAINS OF AMERICA To assist and promote charitable community activities; To prepare youth, who ascribe to Jain values, to become successful leaders of tomorrow; To develop friendships among the youth, who ascribe to Jain values; and To foster and strengthen local youth groups.
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The YJA Executive Board comprises of 16 Jain youth from across North America: two Co-Chairs, eight Directors, and six Regional Coordinators (RCS). Furthermore, Local Representatives (LRs) assist the RCs and members of the Executive Board with activities in their local temples or around the region.
Midwest Retreat - Chicago
Game Night - Raleigh
Navkar Jaap - Austin
Volunteering - Los Angeles
History Since the launch of this organization in July of 1991, YJA has proudly been serving the Jain community for 25 years. Key milestones include the following:
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1993 - First YJA Executive Board elected 1993 - First Young Minds magazine published 1994 - First convention hosted in Chicago 1995 - YJA unveils its website, http://www.yja.org. 2002 - YJA partners with Veerayatan, sending youth volunteers to needy places
2009 - YJA joins Facebook and Twitter 2009 - First YJA "National Dinner" 2010 - First YJA "National Service Day" 2014 - YJA supports first ever JAINA "World Compassion Day" at Jain Centers
YOUNG JANS OF AMERICA
Cdebrating 25 Years
1993 - 1994 Executive Board
2016 YJA Convention Committee
