FORA - Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America

FORA - Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America FORA ensures that refugee families are provided access to an education sufficient to thrive.

Founded in 2018 in response to the international Rohingya crisis, we specialize in helping recently arrived refugee children who have previously been denied an education and are illiterate in their native languages to gain foundational education skills so that school becomes meaningful for them. Pre-pandemic, we served 30 formerly illiterate Rohingya, Afghani and Syrian children every day, providi

ng each child with 520 hours per year of customized intensive instruction in reading and math with a 2-to-1 student-tutor ratio using professional teachers and paraprofessionals (and lowering the ratio even further with volunteers). When the pandemic hit, we took an additional 30 children, and we now serve 60 children with 2 hours a day of 1:1 online tutoring, for a total of 2,640 hours a month of tutoring. All tutors undergo legally mandated background checks and are monitored and mentored one hour every ten days. Our vision is a world where refugees in need are welcomed and empowered, and we value patience, kindness, wellness, intercultural connection, a passion for learning and a determined resilience...and modeling these values for others.

Last week we officially wrapped up our summer internship for 2026! Our interns participated in our first ever Intern Exp...
08/25/2026

Last week we officially wrapped up our summer internship for 2026! Our interns participated in our first ever Intern Expo, where they shared about their experiences at FORA. It was so wonderful to see all the amazing things they accomplished! đź’›

You’ve probably heard of “third-places,” at some point in your life. But do you really understand their importance? Chec...
08/13/2026

You’ve probably heard of “third-places,” at some point in your life. But do you really understand their importance? Check out FORA’s latest article written by summer Administrative Intern Anna Anderson to learn more about third places and the important role they play in the lives of refugee children. Click the link in our bio to read now!📖

Have you been searching for an opportunity to make impactful change? Consider applying to tutor at FORA to make a real d...
08/11/2026

Have you been searching for an opportunity to make impactful change? Consider applying to tutor at FORA to make a real difference in the lives of refugee students! 🌏📗📖


To celebrate all the hard work our students have put into their learning this summer, we had an activity day! Our girls ...
08/06/2026

To celebrate all the hard work our students have put into their learning this summer, we had an activity day! Our girls got the opportunity to attend Girl Scout camp where they zip-lined, hiked, and did crafts while our boys explored a high ropes course! 💙🌲

Thank you to everyone who came out to our community picnic over the weekend! Despite the weather moving us inside, we ha...
08/04/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to our community picnic over the weekend! Despite the weather moving us inside, we had an amazing time.🩵

Yesterday 50th ward Alderman Debra Silverstein visited FORA to meet some of our students and see our latest space update...
07/31/2026

Yesterday 50th ward Alderman Debra Silverstein visited FORA to meet some of our students and see our latest space updates. We are so grateful for Alderman Silverstein’s support of our work and the West Ridge community! 🌎

Check out this amazing invitation for our community picnic, designed by one of our student employees Suwalihah! We hope ...
07/30/2026

Check out this amazing invitation for our community picnic, designed by one of our student employees Suwalihah! We hope you join us this Saturday for our community picnic, be on the look out for an email in case it rains! 🧺🩵

Meet FORA’s Summer 2026 Educational Restorative Justice Interns! Whether they’re working one-on-one with students or sup...
07/23/2026

Meet FORA’s Summer 2026 Educational Restorative Justice Interns! Whether they’re working one-on-one with students or supporting our Educational Officers, they help make every day a meaningful one. We are so grateful for the energy and compassion they bring to the classroom. Thank you! 📗🌎

07/21/2026

Who were you rooting for this World Cup? Check out the new article on FORA’s website now to learn more about some of this year’s World Cup players who come from refugee communities! Visit refugeefora.org/updates to read now! ⚽️🥅

Thank you so much to State Representative Kevin Olickal for visiting FORA! Our students enjoyed learning all about the r...
07/17/2026

Thank you so much to State Representative Kevin Olickal for visiting FORA! Our students enjoyed learning all about the role of a state representative and gained a better understanding of how public service impacts our communities. We are so grateful for your continued support of our students and mission! 🌎 📚

Address

6435 N. California Avenue
Chicago, IL
60645

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when FORA - Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to FORA - Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America:

Shortcuts

Share