RAINDROP FOUNDATION

Austin | Dallas | San Antonio | El Paso | College Station | Lubbock | Corpus Christi | Kansas City | Little Rock | Oklahoma City | Tulsa | Memphis | Jackson | Albuquerque

“Serving the community since 2000”

Turkish American Community Center

MIS

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VIS

ION Raindrop Foundation (RDF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3), educational,

charitable, social and cultural organization founded by Turkish-

Americans in Houston in 2000. It now operates in Texas,

Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

RDF aims to cultivate friendship and promote understanding

of diverse cultures. We strive to establish bridges between the

Turkish and American cultures and communities by providing

easily accessible educational, social, and cultural services with

the intention of contributing to global peace at the grassroots

level by sharing Turkey’s heritage of tolerance and understanding.

Our vision is a peaceful world without barriers between diverse cultures.

OU

R H

EAD

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S The headquarters of Raindrop Foundation is Turquoise Community Center located in Houston, Texas. The community center consists of a business center, convention and exhibition center, culinary center, sporting facilities and play grounds. With four buildings totaling 55,000 sq. ft. constructed on a nine acre area, Turquoise Community Center awaits visitors.

Raindrop Turkish House Headquarter’s Opening Ceremony

64th US Secretary of State, the Hon. Madeleine Albright, Turkey’s Consul General

in Houston, Atilla Uzer and Congressman Al Green joined for the

Turquoise Center’s ribbon cutting ceremony.

Every year each Raindrop branch organizes a traditional Turkish cultural

festival where the culture of the Turkish world is showcased. Not

only an educational adventure for those in attendance and involved,

Turkish festivals are entertaining events that join together international

communities. Events include; traditional bands, music groups, singers

and folk dances as well as handcrafts, calligraphy, Ebru (water marbling)

and of course delicious world renowned Turkish cuisine. Visitors enjoy

tasty examples of döner, baklava, Turkish coffee, tea and more. RDF invites

universities and K-12 schools to participate in the events, activities and

performances of the festival contributing to the diverse culture of America.

TUR

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One of the main events that Raindrop Foundation organizes is the annual

Turkish Culture and Language Olympiad. RDF values language learning

and organizes this event to motivate students to learn a second language.

Turkish is listed as one of the critical languages under the National Security

Language Initiative (NSLI), designed to dramatically increase the number

of Americans learning critical need foreign languages including Turkish.

In order to encourage multilingualism, RDF has organized the Turkish

Culture and Language Olympiad since 2007 with an increasing partici-

pation each year. The event takes place at Hobby Center and presents a

professionally planned stage show. Students compete in singing, poem

recitation, speech, language, folk dance, talent, presentation, art, state

exhibition and Turkish cuisine. The winners

represent USA in an international contest

among participants from over 140 countries.

INTER

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S TO TU

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EYSTU

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TRIP

SRaindrop Turkish House organizes intercultural trips to Turkey in order to

build bridges between Turkey and the West. These trips serve to forge

bonds of lasting friendship between Turks and Americans by identifying

what it is we have in common. Our guests have the opportunity to network

with new and lifelong friends to strengthen even further our commitment

to global dialogue and mutual understanding.

RDF aims to establish study abroad programs in Turkey. As a benefit of

its location, Turkey offers a rich history and culture to its visitors. Based

on schools’ goals, RDF can provide assistance in accommodation, food,

transportation and contact with local families, schools and other institutions.

In 2012 and 2014, RDF organized a Study Turkey program with Austin High

School in which seniors were a part of a ten-day trip that included visits

to historical, cultural and religious sites, educational institutions as well

as visits with local families. Students then prepared projects such as short

documentaries on different aspects of the country. RDF also organized a

study Turkey trips with HCC, KIPP and YES Prep in 2013. With its experience

through these

p r o g r a m s ,

RDF creates

a memorable

educational

and cultural

experience for

students.

SOC

IAL

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ULT

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ES Raindrop contributes to a colorful social life by organizing, sponsoring and

hosting cultural and social events such as Turkish cuisine classes, coffee

nights, Ebru (water marbling) classes, Raindrop social, cultural dinners,

spring festivals and early Thanksgiving dinners. Through these activities,

we strengthen friendship with our neighbors and local communities and

form a culture of “living together”. Most of such events at RDF branches

provide an environment in which everyone can come, meet and socialize

with people in a friendly and informal event.

RDF also participates in

festivals, international days

and programs at schools

and colleges organized by

other organizations and

communities. For Raindrop,

such activities are opportunities

for cultural exchange. RDF joins

such festivals and programs to

share our cultural heritage and contribute to diversity of our region.

TURK

ISH

CU

ISINE C

LASSES

RDF offers Turkish cuisine classes, where culinary culture that has devel-

oped since the era of the Ottoman Empire is introduced by teaching and

demonstrating fine examples of world-renowned Turkish cuisine. These

classes are open to community members of all ages and are great to

take as a family or with friends. Participants cook delicious dishes and

desserts in a friendly and fun atmosphere and at the end of the session

they taste and proudly share their masterpieces with other participants.

With its experience in cuisine classes and experienced instructors, RDF

can provide culinary courses or after school cuisine programs at schools.

AID

EFF

ORT

SRaindrop contributes to a colorful social life by organizing, sponsoring and

hosting cultural and social events such as Turkish cuisine classes, coffee

nights, Ebru (water marbling) classes, Raindrop social, cultural dinners,

spring festivals and early Thanksgiving dinners. Through these activities,

we strengthen friendship with our neighbors and local communities and

form a culture of “living together”. Most of such events at RDF branches

provide an environment in which everyone can come, meet and socialize

with people in a friendly and informal event.

RDF also participates in festivals, international days

and programs at schools and colleges organized

by other organizations and communities. For

Raindrop, such activities are opportunities for

cultural exchange. RDF joins such festivals and

programs to share our cultural heritage and

contribute to diversity of our region.

EDU

CATIO

NA

L SERV

ICES

UN

IVERSITY

AFFILIATIO

NS

RDF collaborates with colleges and universities in the region in starting Turkish language and culture programs and courses and has had affiliations with the University of Houston, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin Community College and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. RDF also cosponsors panels, seminars, talks and other academic activities with colleges and universities RDF offers Turkish classes at all its branches in Texas and neighboring states. Besides, ESL classes are offered for first generation immigrants to help their transition and integration into the American society. RDF also welcomes field trips to its branches, where students can experience presentations about Turkey’s history and culture. Visitors will have the opportunity to taste samples from Turkish cuisine. Furthermore, RDF organizes morning conversations and luncheons, a series of public conversations that draw together diverse minds to discuss critical issues.

RDF also welcomes field trips to its branches, where students can experience presentations about Turkey’s history and culture. Visitors will have the opportunity to taste samples from Turkish cuisine. This is an educational and fun field trip opportunity for schools. Furthermore, RDF organizes morning conversations and luncheons, a series of public conversations that draw together diverse minds to discuss critical issues. These speeches and meetings help participants to broaden and share their visions about recent topics or selected themes.

CO

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ITY

SERV

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RDF organizes a variety of events from health fair to winter retreat for the community. At the health fair held at RDF in Houston, families receive free immunizations and health screenings.The fair provides free diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol tests, along with free dental screenings.RDF also organizes a national night out event annually. The purpose of the event is to unite neighborhoods in an effort to reduce crime. Police department, neighbors and families from Turkish community participate in the night out event where food is served to participants. Winter retreats bring Turkic-American community and their friends together. Families, meet at a location for over a week to read books, relax, discuss and exchange ideas. It also becomes a time for self-evaluation and inquiry. This event helps families reconsider the values in life and strengthens ties and friendship between families and children. For children, it is a place for learning the culture and values of origin and being immersed in an environment where the home culture and values are alive. Additionally, RDF becomes a place of celebration during bayrams (eids) and other holidays of the community. People celebrate the holiday together while children enjoy gifts and attractions set up for them.

YOU

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PMEN

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The Raindrop Youth Development Center (RYDC) is an educational center that serves the underprivileged youth in six states: Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and New Mexico. It promotes young generation’s integration, development, and contribution to the social life in US. The mission of the RYDC is to contribute to social, academic, and cultural development of the community through educational programs so as to build strong individuals, strong families, and strong communities. The vision of RYDC is socially, culturally, and academically advanced, responsible, participating citizens and leaders.

For the current events and past activities,you can visit our website at

www.turkishhouse.org

9301 W. Bellfort Ave. Houston, TX 77031Phone: (713) 974 1412 / Fax: (713) 974 1418

www.turkishhouse.org

CORPUS CHRISTI7114 Saratoga Blvd.

Units 222Corpus Christi, TX 78414

corpuschristi@turkishhouse.org

EL PASO10767 Gateway West Blvd. #610

El Paso, TX 79935 elpaso@turkishhouse.orgPhone: (915) 633 8853

AUSTIN12400 Amherst Dr. Suite #108

Austin, TX 78727austin@turkishhouse.orgPhone: (512) 873 7355

OKLAHOMA CITY4444 N. Classen Blvd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73118okc@turkishhouse.orgPhone: (405) 702 0222

JACKSON900 E. County Line Rd.

Ste# 201ARidgeland, MS 39157

jackson@turkishhouse.orgPhone: (769) 251 0074

KANSAS CITY9903 Pflumm Rd.Lenexa, KS 66215

kansascity@turkishhouse.orgPhone: (913) 894 6700

ALBUQUERQUE7901 Mountain Road NE Albuquerque, NM 87110

abq@turkishhouse.orgPhone: (505) 859 3751

DALLAS1416 E. Collins Blvd.

Richardson, TX 75081dallas@turkishhouse.orgPhone: (972) 375 8472

TULSA4444 West Houston St

(East 81St) Broken Arrow, OK 74012

tulsa@turkishhouse.orgPhone: (918) 806 6022

WACO816 Lake Air Dr. Waco, TX 76710

waco@turkishhouse.org

COLLEGE STATION4021 E. 29th St. #114

Bryan, TX 77802collegestation@turkishhouse.org

Phone: (979) 268 1317

MEMPHIS5681 Quince Rd,

Memphis, TN 38119memphis@turkishhouse.org

Phone: (901) 590 3256

LITTLE ROCK1501 Market St.

Little Rock, AR 72211littlerock@turkishhouse.org

Phone: (501) 223 2155

HOUSTON NW8125 N. Sam Houston

Pkwy.Houston, TX 77064

SAN ANTONIO4337 Vance Jackson Rd.San Antonio, TX 78230

sanantonio@turkishhouse.orgPhone: (210) 377 1110

LUBBOCK29 Briercroft Office Park

Lubbock, TX 79412lubbock@turkishhouse.org

Phone: (806) 747-0543

ARLINGTON