Ukrainian ESL Program

The world has been impacted by the events in Ukraine over the past year.

Nearly 5000 miles away from the war-torn region, Holy Family University has established an innovative way to help the Ukrainian community. In Fall 2022, Holy Family launched a no-cost English as a Second Language (ESL) program for Ukrainians as part of the University’s mission of ensuring a welcoming and accessible learning community for all. Holy Family established the program after presenting Volodymyr Zelenskyy, J.D., president of Ukraine, an honorary degree in absentia at its 2022 Commencement ceremony in May at its Newtown campus.

Newly arrived Ukrainians have attended courses at no charge to help them improve their English proficiency and become familiar with the Philadelphia community. The initiative has since received two additional $10,000 donations from the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Holy Family’s founding ministry, and an anonymous Holy Family University alum to extend the length of the program through next year in an effort to keep up with the ongoing demand.