Turkish Coalition of America
Encyclopedia
Based in Washington, D.C.
, The Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) is an educational, lobbying
, and charitable organization
incorporated in February 2007.
Informing the public about Turkey, Turkish Americans and the US-Turkish relations forms the cornerstone of TCA's mission. Since perceptions of faraway peoples and places are formed largely by images perpetuated by the media, TCA aims to contribute to the accurate portrayal of Turks and Turkey through its programs and activities. TCA pursues an active media strategy utilizing new and traditional media outlets to disseminate issue papers and op-eds. Similarly, TCA's website offers information on Turkish history, the Turkish American community, as well as current issues pertinent to US-Turkish relations. Filling the information gap on Turkey from a Turkish American perspective is imperative to TCA's mission to inform the public.
While the Turkish American community in the US is composed of professionals, they have been largely missing from the American political scene. Turkish Americans' absence from the political process poses a problem especially since their numbers are estimated to reach up to 500,000. TCA aims to overcome this hurdle by encouraging young Turkish Americans to take an active interest in politics through an opportunity to learn the political process first-hand by interning on Capitol Hill. Through the TCA Capitol Hill Summer Internship Program, it is TCA's aim to cultivate Turkish American leaders and to enhance the participation of the Turkish American community in U.S. politics.
TCAdvance Scholarship Program:
In addition to internship opportunities on Capitol Hill, TCA awards scholarships to successful Turkish American students in the fields of political science, international affairs, law and media to foster the next generation of leaders. TCAdvance Scholarships are awarded annually to students who demonstrate a steady commitment to public service and to the Turkish American community.
TCA Study Abroad in Turkey Scholarships for Minorities:
Its commitment to building bridges to minority groups distinguishes TCA from other direct-service Turkish American organizations in the United States. The growing popularity of TCA's Study Abroad in Turkey Scholarships has enabled the organization to reach out to African American, Hispanic American and Native American groups. Moreover, as a direct result of TCA's efforts to expand educational exchanges between the two nations, Turkish universities have also launched scholarship opportunities for these minority groups. In support of the recent normalization process between Turkey and Armenia, TCA has also launched a scholarship program for Armenian Americans, enabling the organization to reach out to the Armenian American community in a constructive manner.
Outreach to Turkish Communities:
Another facet of TCA's outreach efforts entails highlighting the historical and contemporary bonds of friendship and cultural ties of the Turkish people. Consequently, TCA supports like-minded community organizations in their efforts to enhance their voice and to contribute to the strengthening of relations between the United States, Turkey and its neighbors. Projects under this program include grants to various ethnic community groups to support organizational development, scholarships for students in Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and congressional internship programs.
Turkish American Legal Defense Fund:
'The initial mission of the Turkish American Legal Defense Fund (TALDF) is to provide legal advice and counsel to Turkish Americans regarding their constitutionally guaranteed right to free expression.' (From the TALDF website www.taldf.org)
According to the Washington Post, the group " has targeted the districts of committee members who are considered potential swing votes, including submitting op-eds to local newspapers from the group's president."
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, The Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) is an educational, lobbying
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
, and charitable organization
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
incorporated in February 2007.
Mission
TCA, unlike other organizations serving the Turkish American community directly, was formed to build bridges across ethnic communities in the US while educating the public about issues related to US-Turkish relations and to Turkish Americans. TCA's efforts to cultivate the next generation of Turkish American leaders also sets the organization apart from its contemporaries. Incorporated in 2007, TCA has offices in Washington, D.C. and Istanbul, Turkey. Despite its short history, TCA has managed to launch various projects to fulfill its mission to foster friendship, cooperation and understanding between the US and Turkey.Activities
Educating the Public on Turkey and Turkish Americans:Informing the public about Turkey, Turkish Americans and the US-Turkish relations forms the cornerstone of TCA's mission. Since perceptions of faraway peoples and places are formed largely by images perpetuated by the media, TCA aims to contribute to the accurate portrayal of Turks and Turkey through its programs and activities. TCA pursues an active media strategy utilizing new and traditional media outlets to disseminate issue papers and op-eds. Similarly, TCA's website offers information on Turkish history, the Turkish American community, as well as current issues pertinent to US-Turkish relations. Filling the information gap on Turkey from a Turkish American perspective is imperative to TCA's mission to inform the public.
Scholarships & Internships
TCA Capitol Hill Summer Internship Program:While the Turkish American community in the US is composed of professionals, they have been largely missing from the American political scene. Turkish Americans' absence from the political process poses a problem especially since their numbers are estimated to reach up to 500,000. TCA aims to overcome this hurdle by encouraging young Turkish Americans to take an active interest in politics through an opportunity to learn the political process first-hand by interning on Capitol Hill. Through the TCA Capitol Hill Summer Internship Program, it is TCA's aim to cultivate Turkish American leaders and to enhance the participation of the Turkish American community in U.S. politics.
TCAdvance Scholarship Program:
In addition to internship opportunities on Capitol Hill, TCA awards scholarships to successful Turkish American students in the fields of political science, international affairs, law and media to foster the next generation of leaders. TCAdvance Scholarships are awarded annually to students who demonstrate a steady commitment to public service and to the Turkish American community.
TCA Study Abroad in Turkey Scholarships for Minorities:
Its commitment to building bridges to minority groups distinguishes TCA from other direct-service Turkish American organizations in the United States. The growing popularity of TCA's Study Abroad in Turkey Scholarships has enabled the organization to reach out to African American, Hispanic American and Native American groups. Moreover, as a direct result of TCA's efforts to expand educational exchanges between the two nations, Turkish universities have also launched scholarship opportunities for these minority groups. In support of the recent normalization process between Turkey and Armenia, TCA has also launched a scholarship program for Armenian Americans, enabling the organization to reach out to the Armenian American community in a constructive manner.
Outreach to Turkish Communities:
Another facet of TCA's outreach efforts entails highlighting the historical and contemporary bonds of friendship and cultural ties of the Turkish people. Consequently, TCA supports like-minded community organizations in their efforts to enhance their voice and to contribute to the strengthening of relations between the United States, Turkey and its neighbors. Projects under this program include grants to various ethnic community groups to support organizational development, scholarships for students in Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and congressional internship programs.
Turkish American Legal Defense Fund:
'The initial mission of the Turkish American Legal Defense Fund (TALDF) is to provide legal advice and counsel to Turkish Americans regarding their constitutionally guaranteed right to free expression.' (From the TALDF website www.taldf.org)
Relations with Congress
In addition to its active role in fostering relations across ethnic communities in the U.S. and efforts to cultivate the next generation of Turkish American leaders, TCA also pursues a dynamic outreach program on Capitol Hill to build relationships with members of the U.S. Congress, acting as part of the Turkish lobby in the United States. TCA works closely with the Congressional Turkish Caucus and the U.S. Congressional Study Group on Turkey throughout the year to inform and educate policy-makers on issues that concern Turkish Americans and U.S.-Turkey relations.According to the Washington Post, the group " has targeted the districts of committee members who are considered potential swing votes, including submitting op-eds to local newspapers from the group's president."