CHARLOTTE YOUTH MOVEMENT

Our Vision

Youth Reaching Youth

Youth Must Soar

"We are conscious of how much vibrancy and strength is generated in any society by its youth being awakened to the vision of Bahá’u’lláh and becoming protagonists of the Plan. And so, with what immense kindliness, courage, and complete reliance on God must Bahá’í youth resolve to reach out to their peers and bring them into this work! All must surge, but the youth must soar." - Universal House of Justice, Ridván 2024

Youth Reaching Youth

There's something special about the springtime of a human's life. The endurance, vitality, vigor and the ability to adapt, to meet new challenges combine with a standard of conduct that uplifts - these are the unique characteristics that can be channeled into making families, neighborhoods, & communities places that. contribute to the betterment of humanity.

Hope for the Future

Youth Reaching Youth

"It’s amazing when a bunch of youth come together, being with people who actually care about the future and want to grow and make a difference. The energy is real, and it makes you feel proud to be a youth right now. Like… this is our moment."

"Everything feels kind of confusing, like in the world and in my own life. I’m going to the activities because it helps me figure out how I can actually do something good and be part of something bigger. I get to meet people like me who care about making a difference."

Conferences on the Betterment of the World

This conference (June 2025) - one of thousands happening all over the world - created a place where we learned how to support each other, build real friendships, and work together to make our communities stronger. We explored how to turn the amazing and unique characteristics of youth into action—how to grow together, support each other, and become a force for positive change in our communities. - Join us for the next one!

Study & Service

"Where else but in Bahá’u’lláh’s principle of the oneness of humankind can the world find a vision broad enough to unite all its diverse elements? How else but by translating that vision into an order based on unity in diversity can the world heal the social fractures that divide it? Who else can be the leaven through which the peoples of the world can discover a new way of life, a pathway to enduring peace? Extend then to everyone the hand of friendship, of common endeavour, of shared service, of collective learning, and advance as one." - Universal House of Justice, Ridván 2024

Youth Educating Children

The purpose of the moral & spiritual education of children program is to provide spiritual education by helping children learn about the qualities they inherently possess (like love, truthfulness and justice) & giving them an opportunity to develop the understanding of these qualities &build strong character.

the role of youth

Our Mission

Youth have played a vital role in Bahá’í history. The Báb Himself declared His mission when He was but twenty-five years old and so many among the band of His followers were in the prime of their youth when they embraced His Revelation. During the ministries of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, young people were at the forefront of efforts to proclaim the message of the new Faith and to share its teachings with others.

Following in the path that these and other extraordinary figures had opened, thousands of young Bahá’ís have arisen in each generation to respond to the call of Bahá’u’lláh. Their efforts are guided by the Head of the Bahá’í Faith—today, the Universal House of Justice—which encourages young Bahá’ís to draw on the zeal and enthusiasm characteristic of the period of youth and so make decisive contributions to the advancement of spiritual and material civilization.

The youth movement in Charlotte is made up of two distinct groups of youth: The Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program - created—to give youth spaces to explore big ideas, refine the power of expression utilizing the arts and

oratory skills, build the aptitude to create environments of mutual support, and strengthen spiritual qualities. It’s about empowering youth to read the reality around them and recognize the forces shaping the world and developing the power to choose and change. This programs lets youth be part of something greater—working for positive change. The other group is older youth, having progressed through the program, arise to serve those younger than themselves.

Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program

The Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program is a global movement that motivates middle schoolers to work together with parents and community members to contribute to the well-being of their neighborhoods and the world at large. The program is founded on the idea that, to help young people achieve their highest potential, education needs to address both their intellectual and spiritual development.

While inspired by the Bahá’í Faith, the program does not approach education in the mode of religious instruction. It affirms that young people have a vital role to play in helping communities grow.

Youth Who Serve Their Communities

In the JYSEP groups, junior youth (ages 11-14) are mentored by older teens and young adults, referred to as “animators”, to develop their spiritual qualities, intellectual capabilities, and capacity to serve society. Each week, animators and junior youth study materials based on moral and spiritual concepts and talk about how to navigate a complex world, resist negative forces in their lives, and promote social progress. They engage in meaningful discussions and artistic expression (through drama, cooperative games, visual arts, and storytelling) and community service (helping the elderly, fundraising, community education), all of which help them form strong moral identities. Animators are a true friend to the junior youth, and strive to awaken junior youth to their own potential, channel their energies, and develop their talents to serve their neighbors, family, and friends. Along the way, many animators discover that the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program makes an impact in their own lives, as well as the young people they serve.