Adolescent Resource Center
Adolescence is a critical time for change, and has always been a time of exploration. Unfortunately, many rural youth, lacking education and places of support, come up against challenges with substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections and diseases, malnutrition, accidental pregnancy, as well as mental and emotional disorders.
The Adolescent Resource Center educates adolescents on health issues that affect them and their communities, and provides a place where adolescents can come together and create their own networks of support. The Center promotes peer education since adolescents feel less inhibited and more comfortable talking to their peer counselors.
Through a specially designed curriculum which utilizes games, quizzes, and cartoons to engage the students, as well as various books and learning materials available at the centers, these goals are being met.
In addition to these resources, the center attracts adolescents with various events such as debates, competitions, cultural programs, dances and educational plays, counseling and vocational training.
The center provides a place where adolescents can feel empowered, respected, valued, and capable of achieving their life goals-the building blocks for good self-esteem.
It is our hope that through ARCs, the seeds of change will be planted. Adolescence is a time of great change for the individual-and it is clear that the adolescents who have participated are receiving great benefits. The youth of the community is the future of the community.
The Adolescent Resource Center is being engineered by the Rural Development Institute of the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust in India, a nonprofit tax-exempt organization founded by Swami Rama.
With the support of our centers in America, through donations and book sales, we were able to sponsor this center for the first year. To continue this program, the Adolescent Resource Center needs more help. Only $5,000 is needed to support this center for another year. Your donations are tax deductible, and proceeds from our book sales go to this good cause. Thank you for your support.