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Brief History and Mission The Indian Cultural & Educational Center Youth Group will be celebrating their tenth year in April 2005. It was formed in 1995 to aid the children (aged 12-18) of first generation Indian immigrants. The initial purpose was to provide a setting for these teens in which they could socialize with other children of their own age and heritage and develop a sense of belonging and community. In first few years activities of the Youth Group were primarily social. Events such as annual trip to Itchetucknee River, summer trips to water parks and springs, and regular picnics at local parks. These fun activities provided a way for the Youth Group children and their parents to interact and identify with individuals from their own culture. Since its inception however, this group has also been involved in many different volunteer activities. Their first volunteer work began in year 1999 for the newly built Indian Cultural & Educational Center (ICEC). They started fundraising efforts such as car washes and bake sales, for the purchase of needed chairs, tables, and library furniture. They have also raised funds to install curtains for the backstage and game room equipments such as ping-pong, air hockey, and foosball tables. They were also able to raise enough funds by selling dinners at different events to install stage lights and a music system at a cost of about 10,000.00. In addition to volunteering for ICEC, the Youth Group has spent much time volunteering in Gainesville and the Alachua County. They have participated annually in events such as Keep Alachua Beautiful, and Hope for The Holidays. They have also hosted canned food drives for the St. Francis House and have served meals several times to the homeless and hungry people. This group has been helping to clean ICEC building and surrounding area twice a year (in April & October). They enjoy painting outside walls and stairways. Every year since 1998, this group has been adopting one and sometimes two needy families during the holiday season through Alachua County’s Hope for the Holidays program. They have collected money and new items from their friends and families and even been known to contribute from their own allowances to purchase gifts and necessary items to fulfill the families’ dreams for Christmas. In year, 2004, the Youth Group sponsored a family of four teenagers with no parents, in which the 19 year old was carrying the burden of support for his three younger siblings. They raised enough funds to purchase all of their wished goods such as cloths, purses, football, basketball, computer and a gift certificate for Publix for meals. The community members donated printer and monitor for the computer. In addition to their dedication to community service, the Youth Group hosts two main cultural programs during the year. Every January and August, these children, with the help of their parents, organize and run cultural programs to celebrate India’s Republic and Independence Days, respectively.

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