j.Kommunity San Diego – Update July 19, 2009

Some tentative dates planned:

Film Screening- Sunday, October 4, 2009 @ UC San Diego Ballroom
located on campus. It is the week right after welcome week here at
UCSD and we just hope that it’ll give us a better turnout.

Jakara Kids Camp- Saturday, October 17th, 2009 @ Escondido Gurdwara

We’ve been to both gurdwaras here to make anouncements for the scholarship. And many parents
have come to us asking when we will be holding the kids camps which is a great sign.

Girls Summer Youth Program – Fresno

Girls Summer Youth Program – the following will be in Fresno, CA this summer.  If you would like to start your own group, send us a message.

Description:

What is this summer youth program?
The summer youth program is for high school girls ages of 14-17. This is a type of mentoring program for you to connect with your female Sikh peers, talk about the problems you are facing as high school students, and discuss some potential resolutions. Basically, you will be discussing social issues that are affecting you as young Sikh teenage girls within the community.

Some examples of these issues are:

• Gender inequality within your homes and overall community
• The pressures you face from your Sikh peers
• The stress of preparing for post-high school careers
• Self-esteem
• Self-confidence, etc.

Anyone who wants to join in the group who fits the populace above is welcomed, the more the merrier! The meetings will be held from 6-8pm every Wed starting July 15th. The location is TBA.
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Two New Sikh Scholarships by the Jakara Movement

This year marks the the creation of two great scholarships by the Jakara Movement.  One aimed at high schoolers: “Bhai Amrik Singh Scholarship for Excellence” and the other at junior/community college transfers: “Bibi Upkar Kaur Scholarship for Excellence.“  In this 25th year of commemoration of the 3rd Sikh Genocide (Ghallughara), these are the institutions that will last. The Scholarships provide national recognition and financial support for students, who exhibit outstanding academic strength as well as exceptional service to Sikhs and the American community at large.

In honor of two pioneers of Sikh activism, Bibi Upkar Kaur and Bhai Amrik Singh’s exemplary dedication to the Sikh community are illustrated by their association with Sikh student organizations. Both were presidents of their respective Sikh student organizations and lived by their convictions of striving for excellence through dedication and perseverance in all aspects of their lives. Both applied this conviction to their educational pursuits, being accomplished students, and supportive of other students in pursuing academic excellence and achievement as well. They believed that as Sikhs, students had the obligation to not only excel in education, but also to carry the responsibility of being of service to the community. Bibi Upkar Kaur and Bhai Amrik Singh gave their lives for this very cause. Hence, these distinguished awards reflects Bibi Upkar Kaur and Bhai Amrik Singh’s legacies of commitment to academic excellence and service to the Sikh community as well as the greater community at large.

ALL Sikhs that have shown excellence education and community service are invited to apply.  The deadline for both is August 15, 2009.  While I am not sure how many high schoolers/or even community college transfers read the j.Khabar: Jakara Movement Blog, I am sure that many of our readers have younger brothers/sisters, cousins, nephews/nieces, etc. that are.  Let them know and get them to apply!  What marks this award apart from other Sikh scholarships is the emphasis is not on appearance, but rather on service.  Help spread the word!

j.Kommunity Fresno – Update July 9, 2009

For those of you who were unable to attend last week’s meeting, lots of information was discussed – we have some exciting events coming up and have included details below.  Please note, that our next meeting with be on Friday July 31st at 6pm at Dakota Gurdwara. We encourage all our volunteers to attend these meetings.  Without your support and attendance, many of these events cannot be implemented.

• Visions of Truth: 1984 Movie Screening (Proposed date: August 22nd, 2009) – This event will take place in six regions across California.  It will be a mini film festival where we will invite the Sikh and non-Sikh community to watch films about the events surrounding 1984.  We are looking for volunteers to help with publicizing the event.  In addition, we will need volunteers to help on the day of the film festival.  If you are interested – please email Simran Kaur (i n f o [a t ] j a k a r a . o r g).
• Girls Summer Youth Program (First meeting: July 15th, 2009 from 6-8pm) – Jakara is starting a Girls Summer Youth Program that will have meetings once a week, every Wednesday, for two hours over the next four weeks. We encourage any girls that are between the ages of 14-17 to attend. Our first meeting will be at Dakota Gurdwara, Wednesday July 15th from 6-8pm.  If you are interested or would like more information – please email Aman Kaur at (i n f o [a t ] j a k a r a . o r g).
• Bhai Amrik Singh Scholarship for Excellence (Deadline: August 15th, 2009) – Jakara is currently offering two $250 scholarship for all incoming-college students.  For more information and to apply, follow the link.
• Bibi Upkar Kaur Scholarship for Excellence (Deadline: August 15th, 2009) – Jakara is currently offering two $250 scholarship for all college transfer students.  For more information and to apply, follow the link.
• Green-Clean our Gurdwaras (First weekend in August) – This is a new program we will be piloting in the Fresno Region where we will visit a gurdwara each month to do Seva and clean the entire gurdwara.  If you are interested, please email Iqbal Singh for more information on how to get involved (i n f o [a t ] j a k a r a . o r g).

Other events we discussed were:

• Car Wash Fundraiser – September 2009
• S.H.A.R.E.S. Fundraiser – Ongoing
• Junior Jakara Camps – October 2009
• Silent March – October 2009
• Alliance for Justice Week – November 2009

We encourage you to come to our next meeting to learn more about these events.

Firework Fundraiser 2009 Wrap-Up

This year we sold $16,000 in fireworks!  We came close to our 2008 record.  While our take home is about 33% of the total sales, we want to send a special thank you to all the volunteers and supporters of the Firework Fundraising effort.  They are the ones that keep the entire organization afloat.  A sincere thanks to all of them and a special thanks to the nameless few (those at the booth know who they are) that do the back-breaking work in 105 degree weather for the greater cause and oversee that it all works together.

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Funding the Jakara Movement

Although we get some community support, our major funding comes from the hardwork of volunteers.  It is their sweat and toil that keeps this movement going.  From carwashes, to fireworks, to even food vendors at sporting events the Jakara Movement does it all.

Our largest fundraising is our annual fireworks sales.  It is grueling work in the hot sun.  This year our firework stand is located in Fresno at the north-west corner of Cornelia and Shields.  We need your help!

• If you are from Fresno and will be buying fireworks – buy from us and get all of your friends, family, and co-workers to buy from us as well.  Also come and volunteer over the weekend!  Friday evening and all day Saturday (July 4th) will be a HUGE rush.  We need your help!
• If you are from Fresno and will not be buying fireworks – buy them anyways and get all of your friends, family, and co-workers to buy from us as well.  Also come and volunteer over the weekend!  Friday evening and all day Saturday (July 4th) will be a HUGE rush.  We need your help!
• If you are not from Fresno, and will be buying fireworks – contact us so we can arrange a sale and delivery.
• If you are not from Fresno, and will not be buying fireworks – leave some comments of support.

Support the Sikh youth!  To volunteer or purchase, contact us by calling 1-888-JAKARA-1 or email us at jakaramovement@gmail.com

Together, we are the movement.