Whenever Soe Meh leaves her apartment in Chicago, she is struck by her freedom and confidence. From birth to marriage and motherhood, Soe Meh lived in a refugee camp along the border of Thailand and Myanmar (formerly Burma). While safer than the violence in Burma that her parents had fled, she says of her time in the camp, “There was no future.”
In 2010, her young family arrived in Chicago with U.S. government approval. They found safety in their new home but were overwhelmed by a different culture and language. Traditional resettlement agencies provide initial support, but assistance typically ends within months. Individuals are expected to become self-sufficient, often before they have established the language skills, community connections, or support systems needed to navigate daily life.
Thankfully, Soe Meh met Lynn Gordon. Gordon, an English as a Second Language (ESL) volunteer, recognized the need to bridge the gap between short-term resettlement aid and long-term self-sufficiency. In 2012, Gordon founded Madonna Mission, a welcoming space where legally resettled refugees gain language skills and cultural knowledge to navigate their new lives.
The Importance of ESL Services for Refugees
One of the primary challenges refugees face when immigrating to a new country is a language barrier. An ESL program can help individuals learn a new language and ease their transition to their new home.
Research shows that effective ESL programs are those that align with learners’ goals and motivations. Madonna Mission’s ESL program invites women to participate at no fee for as long as needed to achieve their objectives – from communicating with doctors or their children’s schools to obtaining employment or passing the U.S. Citizenship test.
Adult ESL programs can see high attrition rates, often due to transportation issues and childcare needs. Madonna Mission addresses these obstacles by offering bus cards and free childcare. Students with aspirations like Soe Meh fill the classrooms, developing language skills, self-reliance, and friendships.
Refugee Youth Programs
Like their parents, refugee youth experience great challenges. They struggle with a loss of identity and enter school well below their peers academically. Madonna Mission offers two free initiatives for elementary and middle school students: the After School Program (ASP) and Learning in Action (LIA). Soe Meh’s three children are proud participants of both.
ASP provides one-on-one tutoring and group activities, approaches proven to close achievement gaps, boost confidence, and develop social-emotional skills. During grades 7 and 8, the students receive assistance with applying to Chicago’s high schools, a phenomenon wholly unfamiliar to their parents.
LIA is a six-week summer program that prevents academic summer slide and offers a range of activities, including swim lessons that are not only fun but critical for youth living along Lake Michigan. Once in high school, students who attended ASP or LIA are eligible to become paid counselors.
Soe Meh’s oldest child, born in the refugee camp, is off to a prestigious university this fall. It’s the culmination of a 15-year journey for the family, defined by hard work and determination. “I am more confident in myself and am hopeful for my children’s opportunities,” says Soe Meh. Her family’s story reflects what research has shown: when refugees have access to sustained language instruction, academic support, and community connections, they’re better positioned to build stable, successful lives in their new communities.
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How to Help
In 2025-26, Madonna Mission helped more than 400 refugee women and children develop language skills, confidence, and connections within the community. More than 500 adult and high school volunteers shared their time and talents as tutors in the classrooms. Madonna Mission is 100 percent supported through private contributions. Monetary donations and volunteering are critical to Madonna Mission’s success.
Peggy Forbes is the Executive Director of Madonna Mission, a Chicago nonprofit serving legally resettled refugee families through education and community support. What began as a volunteer opportunity in 2015 quickly became a calling. After serving in several program leadership roles, she now leads the organization’s efforts to help women and children build confidence, skills, and opportunity through education. A trained teacher, Peggy believes that learning has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities, and create pathways to a brighter future.
