HCCC YOUTH AND EDUCATION

The HCCC Learning Center opened on October 28, 2001 with the blessings of the priests and well wishers. We started with two major projects; Library and Pravachanam Pilot.

Vision of the Learning Center:

To establish a full-fledged Learning Center which includes a library and conducting regular classes for enabling religious, cultural and spiritual learning for Asian-Indian children, youth and adults in the Northern California Community. The key elements of the center will include:

•  An extensive library housing authoritative books and audio-visual media on Vedic literature, religion and Indian history and culture in English and several Indian languages. 

•  Discourses and classes for youth and adults

To establish systems and conduct regular youth workshops that inspire the youth by increasing their awareness of the spiritual and cultural richness of our heritage.

To continuously advance the Learning Center though networking with other religious, cultural and spiritual learning centers around the world.

Library Project:

• The Learning Center wishes to thank Sri Amrit Duneja and Sri Sambasiva Rao Gullapalli for their help with the interior and our volunteers for clearing the room.
• The Learning Center negotiated with India Book House for 30% discount on India prices.
• The Learning Center organized different means of getting books from India .
• We now have an almost full set of Amar Chitra Katha books for the children – all bound in sets of 3 to 5.
• We cleared first shipment of books through customs.
• We also have books on the Vedas, Bhagawad Geetha, Bhagavatham, Ramayana and Mahabharata. We wish to thank the initial donors - Sri Kota Shastry and Smt. Prabha Duneja.
• Series of Sampradaya Books were donated in November 2004 by Dr Kamala Shankar
• Books are still being catalogued using updated software. While some books for children are being issued a majority of the books are still for Library use only.
• The present Library hours are 10.30 am to 3.30 pm on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays).
• We request all devotees for generous gifts of their time, money, books and AV material. (Book donors please see Book Donation Policy posted)

The Pravachanams Pilot Project:

• This is another huge accomplishment and we thank all our volunteers who have worked countless hours to make this happen.
• Balajyothi classes started in 2001 for children and youth and is being conducted successfully since then.
• Priests are teaching some of the longer slokas. We began learning Maha Ganesha Pancharathnam with help of Pandit Nageswara Sastry.

2004-2005 progress

• The Library is open on Saturdays and Sundays between 10.30 am - 3.30pm. Our librarian is Mrs. Sunita Krishnakumar.
• Books are still being catalogued and more new books are being added.
• Books, mainly Amar Chitra Kathas, are being issued to children since 11-2004.
• Books can be checked out for a period of two weeks in Children’s section .
• The following classes were conducted by the Youth and Education Committee:
• Balajyothi Classes are conducted 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month between 1 pm - 2 pm
• Pandit Shridhar Bhattar conducts Vishnusahasranama Class 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month between 12.30 pm -1.30 pm.
• Mrs. Padma Chari conducts the Bhakti Jyothi Classes 2nd Sunday of every month between 11am - 12 noon.
• Mrs. Kamala Shankar conducts Shrimad Bhagawad Gita Classes 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month between 11 am - 12 noon.

Events Conducted in 2004 & 2005

• A graduation puja was conducted by children on June 2004 & June 2005
• An art exhibition was organized by Youth and Education to promote cultural _expression and talent on August 2004 and Aug 2005
• Youth & Education and Human Services, Shiva-Vishnu Temple, Livermore, organized a summer picnic on August 28, 2004 at Del Valle Park, Livermore.
• September 2004 & 2005 - Ganesha Puja and Cultural Program by Children
• October 2004, OCT 2005 - Saraswati Puja and Aksharabhayasa
• November 2004, Nov 2005 - Children and Youth Day Program
• November 2004 - Opening of Childrens Library
• November 2004 , April , August, November 2005 - Youth Forum
• Temples of India and Festivals of India CD was released.