PEACE ISLANDS INSTITUTE
Peace Islands Institute New Jersey
Honors & Awards
Recognition Peace Islands Institute and its leaders have received for our work in dialogue, community service and partnership with New Jersey’s public-safety and faith communities. Each honor links to its full story.
September 2026
$50,000 State Grant
Senator Britnee N. Timberlake (District 34)
Presented at the 7th Annual Peace Festival from New Jersey's FY2027 State budget to support PII's community outreach programs for peace and cross-cultural understanding.
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September 2024
New Jersey Council for the Humanities Sponsorship
New Jersey Council for the Humanities
NJCH sponsored Peace Festival '24, PII's 5th Annual Peace Festival, as part of its support for public humanities events.
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March 2024
Her Story Award
Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP)
Peace Islands Institute was represented among the women recognized at WFWP's Her Story Award celebration, honoring women's contributions to their communities.
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January 2024
Silver Sponsor Award
FBI Newark Citizens Academy Alumni Association
Honored at the association's Sponsor Recognition Ceremony as a Silver Sponsor of its community work, reflecting PII's long partnership with New Jersey's law-enforcement community.
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March 2022
2022 Trailblazer Award
Assemblywoman Britnee N. Timberlake (District 34)
Presented to Executive Director Adam Bulent Ozdemir at the Assemblywoman's third annual awards celebration, “From Black History to Women's History.”
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April 2016
Honorary Chairman, 42nd New Jersey Folk Festival
Rutgers University's New Jersey Folk Festival
Executive Director Ercan Tozan was named the festival's Honorary Chairman. The festival highlighted his Hurricane Sandy relief work with more than 100 volunteers and his efforts to bring New Jersey's communities together.
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May 2015
2014 FBI Director's Community Leadership Award
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Newark Division
Chief executive officer Levent Koch was the FBI Newark Division's 2014 honoree, recognized for PII's work promoting respect and mutual understanding among all faiths and cultures.
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November 2014
Recognized at New Jersey's Turkic Cultural Day
New Jersey Legislature, Trenton War Memorial
PII was among the Turkic-American institutions New Jersey recognized for their work in education, philanthropy, business, medicine, art and science.
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December 2012
New Jersey Senate Recognition
New Jersey Senate
Recognized with fellow Turkish American organizations for contributions to peace and dialogue, education, cultural life and business in New Jersey.
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December 2012
New Jersey General Assembly Resolution
New Jersey General Assembly
Presented on the Assembly floor on behalf of Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver, honoring PII's cultural, educational and relief work in New Jersey.
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June 2012
Resolutions and Letters from State and Federal Officials
Governor, U.S. Senators, Members of Congress, NJ Legislature and Bergen County
Presented at PII's 5th Annual Award Ceremony, including a New Jersey Senate resolution and a joint resolution of the New Jersey Legislature.
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