DON BOSCO YOUTH CENTRE – SHILLONG
(Estd. 1993) INS 25
Laitumkhrah, Shillong
Meghalaya – 793003
BRIEF HISTORY
Don Bosco Youth Centre, Shillong, is the outcome of felt need to respond to the new challenges that the young people face in the educational hub of Northeast India. The opportunity came when St. Anthony’s College shifted to its new premises. In 1982 Fr. CL Thomas, who was the rector of STC then, began remodelling the old chemistry lab of St. Anthony’s College to initiate the Youth Centre activities. Soon Fr. CL Thomas was transferred to Don Bosco School, Tura and Fr. Joseph Cilia was appointed in-charge of the new venture. Fr. Mathai Kochuparampil, (Provincial 1979-83), made the official announcement of the opening of Don Bosco Youth Centre during the Provincial Chapter held at the Pastoral Centre, Shillong during 23rd -27th April 1983.
Though the place was small, classes in typewriting and short hand, and coaching classes in few scholastic subjects were soon organized. Courses of a formative nature were also held. A suitable lending library was put up. The Centre began to attract many young people. Soon the need was felt to have bigger premises. The blessing of the foundation for the new complex was done on 01st July 1988 by Archbishop Hubert D’Rosario. The entire complex was finished three years later, and Don Bosco Youth Centre began to offer varied types of services.
The Centre throbs with life from morning till late in the evening. The Centre offers a variety of services. They include classes in typewriting, shorthand, computer mastery, sewing/knitting, study skills, coaching and preparation for exams, career guidance etc. Life enhancement programs like education to love, choice of life partner, marriage preparation course, and awareness programs on drugs, alcohol and HIV/AIDS are regular. Leadership courses, orientation programs on topics of youth relevance, film appreciation sessions etc. are part of the activities. Youth Centre conducts outreach programs in educational institutions/parishes as per request. On Sundays the Centre offers opportunity for various groups to have Mass and other spiritual activities. Holy Week and Christmas programs organized annually for nearly 15 years attract large number of youth and others.
MINISTRIES AND FACILITIES
Besides these regular programs, there are other courses which are held at the Centre by various groups under the general supervision of the confreres. They are: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1. Karate Class
2. Coaching Classes for UPSC, MPSC and Banking
3. Tuition Classes for SSLC and Hr Sec students
4. Neliz Dance Academy
5. Badminton Games
The Centre facility is greatly used by various groups like:
1.Alcoholic Anonymous Group
2.Alanon Group named as “Seed of Hope” (family members of alcoholics)
3.Narcotic Anonymous named as “Serenity Group”
Sundays are crowded with various linguistic/cultural groups for mass and church services. The regular groups are:
1. ANKCYAS (All Naga-Kuki Catholic Youth Association, Shillong); each Naga Group would have a separate Mass at least once a month.
2.Bodo Community
3.Mizo Community
4.Tripuri Community
5.Arunachali Community
6.Santhali Community
7.CYND – Catholic Youth of Nongstoiñ Diocese in Shillong (Mass and Meetings)
8.Zao Fellowship Service
9.Garo Baptist Church
On Weekdays the following groups gather for their Praise and Worship Service:
1.United for Christ – a youth group – every Wednesday
2.Word of God Ministry – a prayer group – every Saturday (Mass every 1st and 4th Sat.)
3.Shalom Prayer Group – a prayer group – every Saturday
4.Garo Fellowship (both Baptists and Catholics) – every Tuesday
Located in the central place in the City, the facilities are hired for conducing exams for several public services (BSNL, SIFY and other Recruitments). The Centre facilitates space for informal gathering of young people for relaxation, counselling, reading, prayer, etc.
Statistics as in 2017