Chicago Giving Circle

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2014 Impact Report

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About BTF Chicago

Our Profile

The Chicago Giving Circle was established on February of 2014.

Our very first project benefited the children of Mersin Toroslar Anaokolu. We have adopted the “Light the Path to Education” Scholarships as our main charitable cause. We believe that equal access to education is key to close underserved girls’ life opportunity gap in rural Turkey.

Our fundraising efforts to date have rendered contributions in excess of $ 15,000 for community development projects in rural Turkey. All with grassroots contributions from donors like you.

We are deeply committed to our cause and pledge to do more with your support.

Our Projects

Mersin Toroslar Anaokolu, Educational children books and toys ($ 1,500)

Documentary Film Screening of Evcilik (Playing House), Funds allocated to empowerment scholarships through CYDD ($ 3,000)

Glo Run Chicago Race Fundraising Campaign, Funds allocated to empowerment scholarships through CYDD ($ 2,900)

Flash Exhibition of 6th Graders Free-Hand Drawing Work, Funds allocated to empowerment scholarships through CYDD ($ 3,500)

Soma Children Education Fund, Friends and volunteers of BTF Chicago raised funds to benefit children who lost parents in the mines ($ 3,500)

Memorial Grant, Awarded a grant of $ 1,500 to support Chicago’s ongoing work with girls’ education

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Our Projects

Books4Kids and Toys4Kids for Mersin Children

Our very first project as a BTF Chicago benefited kindergarteners of Mersin Toroslar Anaokolu. Educational books and toys were donated to the children of Mersin with funds collected from generous donors. A total of $ 1,500 was donated to Mersin Toroslar Anaokolu.

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Our Projects Documentary Film Screening of Evcilik (Playing House)

In celebration of International Women’s Day, BTF Chicago presented the film screening of Evcilik (Playing House) – a compelling documentary about child brides in Turkey. The film screening was held on March 11, 2014 at the Chopin Theatre. The film director, Bingol Elmas, kindly waived the rights for showing the documentary at our event. The proceeds benefited BTF Chicago’s work on girls’ education in rural Turkey. More than 100 people attended the event. Fundraising efforts resulted in the collection of $ 3,000. Contributions were allocated to fund the education of five (5) high school students in Anatolian Turkey for a year.

…More pictures coming soon

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Our Projects

Glo Run Chicago Race Fundraising Campaign

Friends and volunteers of BTF Chicago run the Glo Run Chicago Race last May 3, 2014 to raise scholarships funds for the “Light the Path to Education” program initiative established by BTF in 2010. The initiative is aimed at empowering underserved girls with the gift of education. BTF Chicago has adopted the “Light the Path to Education” initiative as its main charitable cause. Our fundraising goal of $ 2,700 was exceeded thanks to the generosity of our supporters and leadership of our team captains. Contributions were allocated to fund educational needs of (3) three high school students and (1) university student through CYDD.

…More pictures coming soon

5 www.bridgetoturkiyefund.org/chicago

Our Projects Flash Exhibition of 6th Graders Free-Hand Drawing Work

BTF Chicago was honored to receive guiding patronage from the Honorable Fatih Yildiz, Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in Chicago for an afternoon of charity giving benefitting BTF’s Light the Path to Education Scholarships. The event featured a flash exhibition of six graders’ free-hand drawing work reflecting on the importance of girls’ education in rural Turkey. The event was held on June 5, 2014 at the offices of the Consulate General in Chicago. A total of $ 3,500 was raised to support our work on girls’ education. Funds were allocated to support educational needs of (4) university students through CYDD.

…More pictures coming soon

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Our Projects

First United Church of Oak Park Memorial Grant

The Chicago Giving Circle has been awarded a grant of $ 1,500 to assist with ongoing work on girls’ education in rural Turkey. Grant allocation was made available by the Evening Division of First United Church of Oak Park. The grant is awarded yearly by the Evening Division Board through a formal application and selection process. This year grant funding was allocated to support charitable work on international causes. BTF Chicago grant application was selected for the support given to girls and young women in Turkey. A formal presentation of the award was held on June 12, 2014.

…More pictures coming soon

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Our Projects

Soma Children Education Fund

Shortly after learning about the mining tragedy in Soma, Turkey, BTF launched a global fundraising campaign to support the children impacted by the tragedy. As an organization dedicated to the empowerment of children through education, we will allocate campaign funds to create an education fund to support the children who lost parents in the mines. All BTF giving circles joined the campaign to leverage support within their respective area jurisdictions. Friends and volunteers of BTF Chicago also joined the campaign and worked diligently towards meeting established goals. A total of $ 3,500 was raised to help the children who lost parents in the mines.

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Girls’ Empowerment Scholarships Program

EDUCATE…EMPOWER…INSPIRE CHANGE!

Chicago Circle Supports

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The Chicago Giving Circle is growing. Please consider participating and contributing to our projects by sharing your time, skills and charitable giving. Our success is made possible because of your commitment and support to our projects.

You can join us on our Facebook group:

Metro Chicago Facebook Group

If you would like to contact us, please email us: chicago at bridgetoturkiye.org

Support Chicago Circle Projects

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