Politics · Turkey · 8 hrs ago
Beykoz Project Links Residents at Risk With Local Support
An Istanbul Governorate project is working across all 45 neighborhoods of Beykoz to find residents who need support.
Local teams visit homes and connect people with public services, schools, social workers and other organizations.
The project focuses on groups including students missing school, children involved in legal proceedings, women affected by domestic violence and adults who cannot read or write.
In its first phase, officials examined 625 students with repeated absences; 192 students who still lived in the district returned to school, while others were referred to open high school or vocational training.
The work also provided support to 82 children in legal proceedings, including counseling and referrals to education, sports and other services.
Officials say 600 students receive monthly food-card support, and the project has reached 129 women affected by domestic violence.
The next phase will expand work with older people living alone and people with disabilities.
Beykoz is the pilot district for Istanbul’s “Our Neighborhood, Strong Society” project, which operates in all 45 of the district’s neighborhoods.
Teams visit households to identify needs and connect residents at risk with support from public agencies, local authorities and civil society groups.
The project has helped 192 students return to school after reviewing the cases of 625 students identified as frequently absent.
Authorities say they have reached 129 women affected by domestic violence and provided psychosocial, legal and economic support to 17 who accepted home visits.
The project also provides support to children in judicial processes, adults who cannot read or write, and other residents in need.
- Who
- Istanbul Governor’s Office leads the project, coordinated in Beykoz by the district governor’s office.
- What
- The project connects residents at risk with education, social, health and other support services.
- When
- The project’s start date is not stated.
- Where
- Beykoz district, Istanbul, across all 45 neighborhoods.
- Why
- It aims to strengthen family and neighborhood solidarity and reach residents who need support.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The project reviewed the cases of 625 students identified as frequently absent; 192 later returned to school.
Specialist teams met 82 children in judicial processes and their families and referred them to relevant services.
The project is set to expand its work to people aged 65 and over who live alone, and to people with disabilities.
- Pilot district
- Beykoz, Istanbul
- Coverage
- 45 neighborhoods
- Students returning to school
- 192
- Children in judicial processes
- 82
- Women reached
- 129
- Literacy courses
- 53 courses for about 500 residents
What people are saying
This is not a job where we can say, “We spoke to 50 people, and it’s finished.” As long as life goes on, we will continue reaching every resident at risk.
We are loading two thousand lira each month onto the canteen cards we give to 600 students in Beykoz.
In one year, 53 literacy courses were opened, providing education for about 500 residents.