New York, NY (June 23, 2022) – Turkish Philanthropy Funds is proud to announce the recipients of the 2022 Educ8 Program: Duygu Göksoy, Sena Altun, Büşra Gül Murat, and İpek Hanife Yılmaz. These young women have great potential, and we’re honored that with your help, we will be helping them unlock it.
In 2014, with the leadership of TPF donor Günay Aksoy, TPF embarked on a journey to support young women to realize their potential despite their background, economic status, and gender. In partnership with Çağdaş Yaşamı Destekleme Derneği (ÇYDD), the initiative provides scholarships to 4-5 students to attend a month-long program in London or New York every year. During the program, the students learn English, engage with mentors in their field of studies, and meet role models in companies such as Google, Facebook, and Chobani. The program will take place in London this year.
This year we are excited to see five more talented young women embark on this journey. The impact of the program is beyond English language education. Program’s leader at ÇYDD, Güldal Ebeoğlu, remarks, “We have chosen Duygu, Sena, Büşra, and İpek among 459 applicants to participate in the EDUC8 2022 program in London this summer. The program will improve their English speaking skills. Yet, the program’s impact is beyond English education. During their one month in London, these women will spend time with mentors, practice English with native speakers, and leverage the cultural atmosphere of London from visiting museums to going to concerts and shows.” This approach transforms the lives of bright and incredible young women immensely.
“Educ8 fundamentally addresses women’s empowerment. It may look like an opportunity to study English with native speakers, but it really is a program to empower these young women to realize their full potential. When we help train, prepare and support young women to thrive in different ways, they foster a value that can simultaneously promote economic success and social progress. We are grateful to Günay for her leadership and to our partner, ÇYDD, for contributing to a different narrative about how we can address women empowerment,” says Senay Ataselim Yılmaz, TPF’s Executive Director.
About The Educ8 Program:
In 2014, we embarked on a journey to help young women realize their potential despite their background, economic status, and gender. After seeing several young women from Turkey with financial difficulties complete the Educ8 Program for a month in NY or London, we realized the program’s impact was beyond English language education. Together, we were able to transform the lives of bright and unique young women and touched the lives of many others involved in this program. During the month-long program, these women studied English, spent time with mentors in their fields of study, practiced English with native speakers, and participated in field trips organized by our volunteers from different cultures and backgrounds. Everyone involved in this program made a huge difference in these young women’s lives and helped expand their horizons and realize their potential.
About Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF):
Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) is the leading U.S. community foundation for high-impact social investments dedicated to Turkish and Turkish-American communities. Since 2007, TPF has mobilized over $50M and invested over $26M in grants with partners focused on addressing economic, education, gender equality, and social and environmental needs in Turkey and worldwide. TPF donors and partners have reached thousands of families and directly funded over 300 projects by providing support to realize the philanthropic vision of individuals, families, and corporations.
