User:Margaretconway1702/Refugee FORA

= Refugee FORA = Refugee FORA: Foreign Opportunities for Refugees in America is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2019 by Michael and Kathleen O'Connor. It is an organization run by dedicated educators committed to providing educational support to refugee children, specifically those who are pre-literate and face challenges adapting to the U.S. education system. Operating out of Chicago, Illinois, FORA tailors personalized High Impact Tutoring and mentoring programs to the refugee students in an effort to help them thrive in school and other future endeavors. FORA gives hundreds of children the opportunity to build critical literacy and numeracy skills, experience an uplifting and encouraging learning environment, and build an appreciation for their education as a whole.

History
Established in January 2019, Refugee FORA became a place where refugee children can go to get extra support in their education, and it has since become about more than just tutoring. While FORA offers support for math and reading, each student is also encouraged in all areas of life. Refugee students are particularly vulnerable in school because for most, English is not their first language. The need for a place like FORA began with the Rohingya crisis in the mid 2010s and was intensified by the COVID pandemic, which exacerbated the struggles for so many refugees. For many refugees the root of these struggles is the need to read and write, which are skills Refugee FORA puts a lot of effort into supporting. FORA began with its founders meeting refugees wherever they could to offer support, but since 2019 FORA has had its own building in west Roger’s Park and has plans of expanding. In July, 2023 FORA acquired a building next door to their current location that was formerly the Northtown branch of the Chicago Public Library. The library branch has been shut down since 2018 and will now be used exclusively by FORA to expand their services. With access to a larger space, FORA will be able to serve a larger audience

Services
Refugee FORA is a space located in west Roger’s Park that offers support and services to refugee families in the community. FORA offers tutoring services intended to support students with literacy and numeracy skills. FORA offers these services both in person and online through the use of technological services. Beyond offering educational support, FORA offers social support services in an effort to cultivate a sense of community and help students build relationships. FORA not only offers services to the refugee community in Chicago, but it also provides community members with hands-on tutoring opportunities in the space. The program provides an opportunity for local community members and anyone who is passionate about educating the youth to assist these students as they acclimate to the American education system. Beyond tutoring, tutors can also become mentors for the students at FORA.

Impact
The impact of Refugee FORA is multifaceted in the sense that it not only provides academic support but an enjoyable atmosphere where students can feel safe to learn and be themselves. The organization provides various opportunities to families and students, resulting in academic success and improvement. The impact of FORA is also seen through its recent expansion plans to service an even larger amount of students.