East Brunswick Sai Baba Center Young Adults Wing

Self Actualizing Internship (SAI) Pre-Young Adult Program

Within Sri Sathya Sai Baba Organization, a Young Adult (YA) is a person between the ages of 18 and 35. However, Group 4 (between the ages of 16 and 18) students in the Sathya Sai Education (SSE) or Bal Vikas program are also part of the Young Adult program of the Sathya Sai Organization.

To that effect, Sri Sathya Sai Baba Center of East Brunswick has introduced a Pre-Young Adults program to assist in the transition process for the Group 4 SSE students to being part of the main stream Young Adult program.

This program known as a Self Actualizing Internship program, primarily designed for those between the ages of 16 and 18, is intended to provide a platform to apply the Human Values they have learned in real life situations. For example, education in simple volunteering opportunities is suffused with active reflection, creative rational challenges and educational/devotional re-enforcements.

Vision & Mission

Provide a challenging spiritual environment for the young mind, body, and spirit by encouraging & guiding participants to:

• Impact their surroundings
• Challenge their skills and identify their needs
• Deepen their understanding of the Self

Objectives

• As an Individual – Learn to focus and actively reflect on the life and message of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
• As a Group – Establish and strengthen constructive relationships with multi-aged peers through group activities.
• About the Organization – Develop a healthy understanding of the Sai Organization.

Current Year Plans (Theme: PREMA – Planned Reflective Empowerment in Action)

Sessions will be conducted as five 5-week cycles. Each week will have homework. Each cycle will have a project due at the end, along with a field experience. Following is a rough plan for each cycle:

Week 1 – Introduction/Reflection, Progress check

Week 2 – Workshop based on the cycle’s theme

Week 3 – Study session based on cycle’s theme

Week 4 – Presentations & Project Submission

Week 5 – Field Experience (Activity week)

Current Year Calendar

Please see SSE dates on the center calendar to find out when the pre-YA program will be held.

Themes and Benchmarks for each cycle

Year 1 – Concepts will be Introduced;  Year 2 – Concepts will be reinforced

Field Experience

At all times the SAI YA team will be available for assistance in the EHV sessions and the center’s service and devotional activities. In addition, the following activities will be performed to facilitate learning to do SEVA.

Cycle 1 – Map Target Community: Identify a geographical area for SEVA; Tour the area; Note down observations; Identify areas of need; Brainstorm ways we can impact.

Cycle 2 – Communicate with officials to organize group service opportunities. Use creative multimedia journaling to document the needs/strengths of the community.

Cycle 3 – Participate in center’s devotional activities and creatively present personal reflections and/or experiences on using religious/spiritual teachings as a guide to value-based choices and decisions. Continue group service activities.

Cycle 4 & 5 – Critically analyze the service activities to enable sustainable impact.