The Scioto Educational Foundation, SEF, is a non-profit organization whose aim is to promote understanding and respect between the diverse groups of Central Ohio by creating peaceful settings for interaction. It was with the help of community-oriented professionals in industry and academia along with university students that SEF was founded in 2003 as a means to aid the area through education, dialogue, and community service.
Dialogue
The solution to fostering understanding in a diverse world is through peaceful dialogue. This is the main belief and goal held by SEF; to promote a world devoid of any forms of discrimination, where people respect one another for their views, religion, and culture. To reach these goals, SEF organizes various culture programs, diversity lectures, and dinners, among other numerous events. The world, and more specifically, the Central Ohio area has a need for cooperation and harmony since there are noticeable problems, ranging from ignorance and discrimination to confusion and violence, and it is with this in mind that SEF continues its work of bringing dialogue to the forefront as a means of alleviating these problems.
Education
The best time to inculcate understanding and tolerance in a person is at a young age, during their formative years in school. It is at this time that children learn to accept one another, and for this reason, SEF coordinates several activities for youth including a Sunday school and a summer camp. It is the belief of SEF that as the instructors and camp coordinators show these children how to live a life of respect and compassion they will practice these values as an adult.
Community Service
To accommodate the growing numbers of activities in Columbus, SEF operates a cultural center in Columbus as a place to hold various cultural and religious events and meetings designed for groups, families and individuals. There are numerous activities in which members are engaged beyond the Foundation including spending time and money, and giving food and clothing to those in need in the Central Ohio area.
SEF's Vision The members of SEF foresee a time when all people will interact in a world of love and acceptance. It is with this in mind that SEF works within the Central Ohio community to foster dialogue and increase education so that all people can be free to express themselves as they wish. SEF
has neither political nor economic goals, only the desire for the
well-being of all. SEF is a non-profit, 501(c) 3 charitable tax-exempt
organization.
Board Members
Oguz Kurt -
President
Alper Yilmaz -
Public Relations
Veysi Malkoc -
Secretary
Advisory Board
Leslie Stansbery
President, Interfaith Association of Central Ohio
Rev. Dr. Melvin V. Richardson
President, Agape Global Ministries, Inc.
Associate Minister, Shiloh Baptist Church
Host of the GOOD NEWS - Christian Ecumenical Magazine Television Program
Hayrani Oz
Professor, The Ohio State University
Barbara Finan
Professor, Ohio Dominican University
Dr. J. S. Jindal
Spiritual Sadhna Society, President
Columbus Port Interfaith Services, President
Galip Feyzioglu, PhD
Ohio Public Utilities Commission