Chicago’s EduHub Helps Ukrainians Recover and Restart
More than 10 million Ukrainians have been displaced from their homes since Russia’s invasion in 2022, with an estimated 300,000 seeking refuge in the United States, many through the Uniting for Ukraine program developed under the Biden administration. After New York City, Chicago has welcomed more Ukrainian refugees than anywhere else in the country.
In response to the large numbers, the National Association of Higher Education Systems Refugee Resettlement Initiative has partnered with City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) and the Association of Innovative and Digital Education in Ukraine to establish Український Освітній Хаб в Чикаго, the first Educational Hub for Displaced Ukrainians (EduHub) in the U.S.
Historic Ukrainian Village, situated in the city’s West Town neighborhood, has been a bustling center of culture and support for Ukrainian immigrants since the 1800s. As the closest CCC campus to the neighborhood, Wilbur Wright College offers an established local community, with familiar sights and sounds, alongside tailored in-person and online resources.
Tens of thousands of Ukrainians displaced by the war now have access to psychosocial support, vocational training, and essential education to help rebuild their lives—all free of charge. Virtual services became available in July, and the physical space opened on December 9, 2024.
comprehensive programs for both youth and adults in areas such as language acquisition, IT training, digital and financial literacy, entrepreneurial skills, career development, and more. Participants can access online and in-person classes covering topics including navigating the job market, crafting resumes, understanding employment law and tax systems, and mastering effective interview techniques. Interactive game nights are also organized to help overcome language barriers while supporting learning in a fun and engaging way.
Recognizing the significant mental health needs of those affected by the conflict, the hub offers ongoing resources for emotional well-being. Every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m., Inna Bondarenko, a certified psychotherapist and member of the National Psychological Association of Ukraine and the International Association for the Improvement of Gestalt Therapy, creates a comfortable environment for the self-help and emotional support group—a safe space for individuals to share experiences, find encouragement, and draw inspiration.
A major challenge that many Ukrainian refugees face is the nonrecognition of their credentials. This is particularly difficult for professionals in specialized fields, who must navigate complex pathways to resume their careers in a new country. To address this, the Community of Ukrainian Psychologists and Psychiatrists of Illinois held its inaugural meeting at the hub on December 11. The event brought professionals together to share their experiences, discuss the obstacles of continuing their careers in the U.S., and reaffirm their commitment to supporting fellow Ukrainians facing profound hardships.
The Chicago EduHub is the seventeenth center in a network of similar facilities across Europe, the U.K., Japan, and Ukraine, launched by Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science to support Ukrainian refugees in high-volume regions. The Network of Ukrainian Educational Hubs emphasizes lifelong learning and helps members navigate the challenges of settling in a new country. All content offered is officially endorsed by the ministry, ensuring its credibility and alignment with Ukrainian national education standards.
The National Association of Higher Education Systems Refugee Resettlement Initiative is working to expand the Chicago EduHub model to other member systems to create a wider network of support for displaced Ukrainians. This collaboration between higher education institutions, local communities, and international partners demonstrates how collective efforts can provide tangible solutions for those affected by global crises. More than just a learning center, the Chicago EduHub is planting seeds of hope, with the potential to grow and flourish amid uncertainty.
