In Albany Park, a group of Filipino parents are working to help their children connect with their cultural heritage. The Filipino School Of Chicago, a nonprofit founded in 2024, provides language classes and other activities for kids and parents to learn about and celebrate Filipino culture.

Reclaiming Heritage

For many children of immigrants, including Filipino Americans, assimilation and fitting in can be a common experience. However, this can also lead to a loss of cultural identity. The Filipino School Of Chicago aims to change this by providing a space for families to learn and celebrate their heritage together.

One of the school’s founders, Carla Navoa, had a similar experience growing up. Born in Manila and raised in the northern suburbs, Navoa was encouraged to focus on English and lost touch with her native language, Tagalog. As a parent, she recognized the importance of passing on her cultural heritage to her son and wanted to find a way to make it easier for other families to do the same.

Community Support

The school has already enrolled over 200 students in its family Tagalog and dance classes, and has hosted various events and activities for families. The school’s programs also help model Filipino cultural values, such as the importance of community and respect for elders.

Neil Paule, a parent who enrolled his daughter in the school’s classes, wants his child to experience and be proud of her Filipino heritage from a young age. ‘I definitely want her to experience more ‘Filipino-ness,’ he said. ‘And, at least for my daughter, she’s 4 and is already like, ‘I’m Filipino!’ ‘

The school is currently fundraising to set up its own home in Albany Park, a neighborhood with a historic connection to the Filipino community. The goal is to find and purchase a permanent home for the school where they can offer year-round programs for Filipino youth ages 0-18.

Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.