Save Yolo Art Center in Istanbul

M Agha is organizing this fundraiser.

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A vibrant social and artistic enclave for Syrian refugees in Istanbul is in danger of closing without support!

Yolo Art Center and Café is a beacon of hope for refugees and migrants in Istanbul, Türkiye. Rising prices and lack of funding makes it impossible to keep the organization open without outside help.

Founded by young Syrian refugees wanting to help other young migrants like themselves, Bayan Agha and Jihad Bakr put all our savings into starting a café and arts and cultural center that opened on May 15, 2022.

Our Mission:

Life for refugees is hard. We have all suffered trauma, loss, displacement, and isolation. We were forced to flee our homes, jobs, families, and friends to settle for unknown amounts of time in new locations where we often don’t know the language, can’t always work legally, and have to start over again.

In just two years since our opening, Yolo Art Center and Café has become a hub of creativity and cultural exchange in Istanbul. We have offered therapy sessions, open discussions, game nights, chess tournaments, Karaoke, music open mikes, jam sessions, and much more. Yolo has also hosted international artists, and our Arabic- language stand-up comedy has gained fame, attracting people from both within and outside Turkey.

Uncertain Horizon & Yolo's Future Challenges:

The 2023 earthquake and the ensuing economic crisis in Turkey have placed the organization at risk. In 2024, we faced a daunting 70% rent increase and a 50% rise in salaries, pushing us to the brink of closure. We are barely keeping our doors open financially, though our café and events are always full.

Please consider helping us! Our center is at a critical juncture, urgently requiring financial assistance to remain operational while it expands its community outreach.

We need enough support to keep our doors open while we continue to seek sustainable funding for the long-term. Your contribution will make a difference during this pivotal period, ensuring the center not only survives but thrives, becoming a self-sustaining beacon of hope and support for this vibrant community. Funds will be used to pay rent and support our cultural events, social support sessions, and opportunities for artistic expression.