Rosa Chavez Madrigal’s journey is one of courage, growth, and the power of support. Born and raised in Chilchota, Michoacán, Mexico, Rosa made the life-changing move to Chicago in 2022, stepping into a new environment with determination even as she navigated the challenges of a new language and unfamiliar school systems. It was through the encouragement of Ms. Angelica Ferreira that Rosa took a leap of faith and joined the Parent Mentor Program despite not yet feeling confident in English or knowing how schools in the U.S. operated.

Through her time as a Parent Mentor at Stevenson Elementary School, where she served for two consecutive years, Rosa began to find her voice and build her confidence. The program not only helped her grow personally but also gave her a deeper understanding of the dedication teachers bring to supporting students every day. What once felt unfamiliar soon became a space of learning, purpose, and possibility. Rosa describes the program as “fantastic”, a place that opened doors and showed her that achieving her goals was within reach.

With continued guidance from Ms. Angelica and Jonathan Pérez through SWOP’s Ladders of Opportunity initiative, Rosa took the next step in her journey by earning her paraprofessional license. Today, she is working in schools across Chicago, gaining hands-on experience, strengthening her English skills, and building a career rooted in supporting students. The transition has also brought balance to her life allowing her to work while her son is in school and spend more meaningful time with her family.

Rosa’s journey doesn’t stop there. With the same support system by her side, she has now enrolled in college to pursue her associate degree, continuing to invest in her future. She expresses deep gratitude for those who walked alongside her, especially Angelica and Jonathan, not only for helping her reach her goals, but for continuing to support her every step of the way.

By sharing her story, Rosa hopes to inspire other mothers who may be waiting for an opportunity or unsure of where to begin. She wanted this chance to share her story to say that with the right support and determination, anything is possible.

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