Arising to Serve

 The Adelaide cluster is launching the Arising to Serve Program to empower youth to dedicate periods of intensive service, transforming communities while developing their capacities through study, reflection, and action. By integrating service into their lives, participants contribute meaningfully to their communities and the training institute while advancing their personal growth and coherence between service and academic or professional pursuits.

Vision

Through action, reflection, and accompaniment, participants build capacity for meaningful community transformation, fostering environments aligned with Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings. This program strives to develop cohesive communities and assist youth to develop and contribute to the spiritual and social progress of their neighbourhoods.

Purpose

•        Equip youth with knowledge and skills to strive to live coherent lives through study and service to the community.  

•        Enable young people to apply principles of the Faith through service in their communities.

•        Build cohesive, vibrant communities through the energy and dedication of youth.

•        Align university studies and professional goals with service, ensuring both are mutually reinforcing.  

Program Structure

The program runs in ten-week blocks, four times a year, with participants focusing on intensive service in neighbourhoods. A dedicated team provides guidance, helping participants engage at varying levels of intensity, tailored to their circumstances.

Service and University Studies

The program emphasizes the integration of academic pursuits with service, making education a tool for community transformation. Participants:

•        Apply knowledge by organising activities, visiting families, and engaging peers.

•        Strive for academic growth and service, developing coherence in their lives.

•        Foster a lifelong commitment to service as a guiding principle.

Service as Learning

Inspired by Bahá’í teachings, participants learn through action, testing knowledge, and gaining insight by contributing to community-building efforts. Service becomes a practical means of applying education and fostering unity.

Living a Coherent Life

The program fosters a unified approach to education, service, and career, empowering participants to contribute meaningfully to society. With service at its core, the program transforms lives and communities alike.

Field Outcomes

The program evolves over three years, building participants’ capacities for sustained service, leadership, and community transformation:

Year 1:

•        Sustain activities: weekly sessions, camps, family visits, and training.

•        Advance the youth movement: raise local tutors, expand institute activities, and engage peers.

•        Deepen understanding of the Faith: study writings, institute courses, and messages.

Year 2:

•        Sustain and support activities by planning, reflecting, and accompanying others.

•        Strengthen youth efforts: mentor tutors, organize reflections, and expand institute activities.

•        Take greater responsibility for organizing gatherings and guiding others in service.

Year 3:

•        Sustain and support activities: mentoring, facilitating gatherings, and engaging families.

•        Lead the youth movement: support new tutors, guide institute efforts, and engage peers.

•        Deepen coherence between service, academic growth, and professional aspirations.

By Year 3, participants serve as key local resources, collaborating with institutions to advance the institute's progress and transform their communities.

This structured and evolving program ensures that service is not only a guiding principle in youth’s lives but also a transformative force for the betterment of their communities and the wider society.

Curriculum outline

[TBA]

Weekly Schedule

The weekly schedule for the program is structured to balance study, service, and personal time, fostering both individual growth and community development:

• Monday to Wednesday:

  Participants will engage in the study of the higher courses from the Training Institute and tertiary level courses at the Baha’i Centre of Learning.

• Thursday and Friday:

  The focus will shift to studying content from the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program and the Program for the Spiritual Education of Children, conducted in their various neighbourhood settings.

• Weekends:

  The morning block is reserved for personal time, including family engagements, household responsibilities, and other activities participants choose to pursue.

Daily Afternoons:

Each afternoon, participants will actively contribute to neighbourhood initiatives by applying their knowledge and accompanied by experienced individuals who will provide guidance in planning and the facilitation of activities as well as conversations with youth and families. After these sessions, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences in the field, documenting insights and progress.

Workshops and Personal Development:

Workshops will vary in duration and purpose, addressing both service-related, educational and personal development goals:

• Service-focused Workshops:

  Enhance skills such as artistic expression, deepening knowledge of the Bahá’í writings and history, and studying materials related to the institute's development and the current needs of the Plan.

• Life Skills Workshops:

  Build capacities for managing finances, living independently (e.g., cleanliness, cooking, and household management), maintaining physical and mental well-being, fostering relationships, and other essential skills.

• Educational Workshops:

  Courses that will build on professional training, building on the participates skills for future careers. These workshops will include; a range of micro-certificates that can be applicable in various professional fields. (e.g. first aid and mental health training)

• Transition-focused Workshops:

  Towards the end of the program, dedicated workshops will prepare participants for future pathways in education or career, including resume building, gaining field experience, networking with professionals across industries, and developing a comprehensive plan for the coming years.

This structured schedule ensures participants are equipped with the skills and capacities to serve their communities effectively while preparing for a purposeful and coherent future.

Settings where field is taking place in 2025:

Working in a particular setting is essential for fostering a deep connection with the community and ensuring sustained impact. It allows participants to build meaningful relationships, understand the unique social and cultural dynamics of the area, and address specific needs through meaningful efforts. By consistently engaging in a defined locality, participants can observe patterns, adapt strategies, and collaborate closely with the local population, fostering ownership and collective progress. This focused approach also facilitates the development of long-term trust and mutual support, enabling transformative change that aligns with the community's aspirations. Additionally, working within a specific setting provides a practical context for participants to apply their learning, test ideas, and reflect on outcomes, making their service more intentional and impactful.

Depending on the level of intensity of each setting participants will have to consider working in two settings to develop its intensity and growth while other settings will require full focus and commitment. The table below provides an overview of the various settings where participants will have the opportunity to serve. It details the current stage of development for each setting and outlines the next steps for the settings to advance the community building initiatives:

Cost and registration

The Arising to Serve Program is made possible through the generous contributions of families and the community, which help lower costs for participants while fostering a spirit of collaboration and shared purpose. This collective support ensures the program remains accessible and sustainable.

The participation fee is $250 per block (10 weeks), totalling $1,000 for the first year. This fee covers institute materials, literature for workshops, weekday lunches, refreshments, and some transportation costs.

Participants can also access a scholarship fund, receiving $100 weekly to build financial responsibility and independence. The program supports participants in exploring vocational opportunities, balancing work experience with their community-building efforts. The scholarship helps ensure youth can dedicate their energy to service while developing skills for meaningful work.

Commencement Date

The Arising to Serve Program officially begins on 10 February 2025 with a week-long orientation. This orientation will:

• Help participants understand the program’s purpose, structure, and expectations for both participants and facilitators.

• Include the study of guidance and materials to collaboratively shape the program’s learning environment and culture.

• Allow time for practical tasks, such as organising personalised weekly schedules, setting individual and group goals for the first block, and fostering bonds of friendship among participants.

Participants are encouraged to commit fully to the program during their designated time, ensuring a meaningful and transformative experience.

Registration Confirmation

Online registration form: [TBA]

Deposit Details

How to support?

The Arising to Serve Program thrives on the collective efforts of individuals and institutions.

Here are some ways you can contribute to its success:

• Logistical Support:

  • Assist with cooking lunches during the first two blocks as participants transition to preparing meals themselves.

  • Provide in-kind contributions to help purchase food supplies.

• Material Support:

  • Donate furniture such as couches, tables, coffee tables, shelves, cabinets, or appliances like a fridge to support the program’s spaces.

• Scholarship Fund Contributions:

  • Contribute to the scholarship fund to help youth access and fully participate in the program.

• Workshops:

  • Share your knowledge and talents by offering workshops that equip participants with practical skills, deepening their learning and enhancing their experience.

Your support helps empower youth to serve their communities while developing the skills and capacities for a coherent, purposeful life.