About Us
Hayat Sende Youth Academy Association (Hayat Sende) was established in 2007 by a group of idealistic young people who grew up under the protection of the state, and carries out activities with the vision of enabling children and young people raised under the protection of the state, without discrimination, to life with basic life skills.
OUR VISION
A world where children and young people raised under protection and individuals leaving protection can access rights and opportunities equally and strongly without discrimination.
OUR MISSION
Developing innovative policies for the difficulties faced by children and youth under protection and individuals leaving protection and making practices that will serve this purpose.
OUR CORE VALUES
Nonpartisanship
Hayat Sende Association does not take sides with or against any political party.
Transparency and Accountability
Hayat Sende is open, honest, and responsible in its actions and decisions.
Rights-Based
"Hayat Sende" operates on the basis of human rights, not pity or compassion, starting from the premise that every individual has rights.
Equality
No one shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other status.
Innovation and Solution Orientation
Hayat Sende is open to accepting and implementing innovations and ideas to ensure that solutions are effective and efficient.
OUR WORKING ZONES
Strengthening and Capacity Building
We aim to ensure that children and young people growing up under protection are able to step into life independently and strongly, increase their coping skills, and easily access the psychosocial, economic, and social support they need. To this end, we provide mentoring programs, free legal and social service consultancy, free psychological support, and scholarship support.
Awareness Raising and Advocacy in Society
We aim to increase the awareness and sensitivity of the society regarding the difficulties experienced in the field of children and youth growing up under the protection of the state, to defend the rights of children and youth, and to carry out protective and preventive works. For this, we organize various projects, social campaigns and workshops.
Combating Labeling and Discrimination
We fight labeling and discrimination against children and young people brought up under protection, and work to ensure that children and young people raised under protection can easily access rights and opportunities. In this direction, we share the Correct Dictionary that we develop every year.
OUR AWARDS
Hayat Sende was selected as Changemaker by Sabancı Foundation in 2012, NGO of the Year by the National Youth Parliament in 2014, and was deemed worthy of support by Asia21 Initiative in 2016 as one of the 24 most influential organizations in Asia. Tuğçe Ekin, who was elected as the 3rd Social Service Institution and also the president of our association, came first in the category of Reducing Inequalities at the Turkey Awareness Awards given by JCI Istanbul.
