We want to provide a voice.

FREE ENGLISH & CITIZENSHIP CLASSES

Our Vision

The New Neighbor Project is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization supporting education and our immigrants neighbors through donation-based ESL and citizenship classes, as well as citizenship application assistance and scholarship opportunities to help provide a holistic pathway to citizenship for people in our community.

“As an ESL teacher and an advocate for immigrants for over 25 years, I understand what it takes to provide a pathway to citizenship for our neighbors. And as a single parent, I also know the financial struggles that can prohibit a family from reaching their full potential in our country.”

Amy Dudgeon
Executive Director

What We Do

ESL Classes

We offer Beginner and Intermediate ESL classes both online and in person in various library locations in New Orleans. We accept students on a rolling basis, which means you can drop in our classes at almost anytime during the semester. By filling out an application, you can choose which class you think works best for your English level. Classes are completely free.

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Citizenship Classes

Our 12 week online citizenship course takes you through step by step of the citizenship application process. In collaboration with USA LEARNS, we provide the tools you need to take the exam and to be prepared for your citizenship interview. Through exam study, mock interviews and application assistance, we help you feel more comfortable navigating the citizenship process.

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HiSET ExamPrep

This class is postponed until March. Our online HISET prep class offers students a way to prepare for the HiSET exam in order to pursue their dreams to attend college. The classes are currently offered in Spanish as a way to help Spanish speakers take the exam in Spanish. Our tutors offer assistance with the test application, questions on the exam and other information about the test taking process.

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Our 2025 Impact

We welcomed more than 2,300 new students across six parishes, creating space for learning and growth in libraries, churches, and community centers statewide.

Our 125+ dedicated volunteers, alongside partnerships with Tulane, Loyola, and LSU service-learning projects fostered meaningful growth, connection, and opportunities within our communities.

Three students achieved a life-changing milestone, graduating from our citizenship program and stepping into an inspiring new chapter in their lives.

We brought together a diverse community, representing 23 languages and connecting learners from five countries and across the U.S., creating a truly global impact.

Thank you to Harrah’s, Dollar General, the New Orleans Culture and Recreation Fund, the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, and our private donors for your generous support, which has allowed us to expand our reach and deepen our impact.

Meet the Team

Amy Dudgeon

Executive Director, NNP Founder

Amy Dudgeon has been involved with helping immigrants and refugees for almost 30 years in Kentucky and New Orleans. She has a Juris Doctorate from the University of Louisville with a focus on Immigration Law and has worked with several refugee resettlement agencies across the country. She has taught 1000’s of refugees and immigrants since 1995 and founded the New Neighbor Project in 2021. She is currently serving as Executive Director.

Susan Roesgen

Board Member

Susan Roesgen is a television and radio journalist with experience as a CNN Correspondent based in New Orleans and Chicago, co-hosting an international broadcast from the headquarters of National Geographic in Washington, D.C. , and freelance reporting for National Public Radio. In 2012, Susan began volunteering as an ESL teacher for Associated Catholic Charities in New Orleans and later for the Hispanic Resource Center in Kenner. She is a certified ESL teacher who loves inspiring her students to become fully fluent in English so they can become fully part of the American dream.

Kimmie Tubre

Board Member

Kimmie Tubre is a freelance writer, educator, and published author from New Orleans, Louisiana. After years of working in print journalism, she moved to Prague, Czechia, to pursue a career in education. Kimmie has taught English abroad, ESL at Delgado Community College, and Intensive English at The University of New Orleans. Today, Kimmie works as an Adult Education Instructor and is an active member of the NOABJ (New Orleans Association of Black Journalists) and PCNO (Press Club of New Orleans). While she has written for several publications over the years, her most notable articles are published in Where Y’at Magazine New Orleans.

Rebecca Sell

Board Member

Rebecca Sell is an English teacher and marketing professional currently based in Chile. Her diverse background includes projects with SIFAIS, a foundation that provides educational and social support to immigrants in the La Carpio neighborhood of San Jose, Costa Rica; affiliations with Loyola and Tulane Universities as a mentor and guest lecturer; volunteering as an English teacher for Catholic Charities New Orleans; and much more.

Hear from our students!

“The class gives me confidence to express myself so I can say what I really want to the doctor or pharmacy. When I get nervous I talk fast. The class has helped. The stories help us learn. I like them. They give us new ideas and words."

~ Fatmeh

“It's better now when people talk to me. I know more spoken words. Now I can make my own appointments. I'm not dependent upon my daughter now. Daughter says "don't you want me to help you?" I say "No! I can do it myself now!"

~ Cris

“I need more words in my vocabulary. I dont practice is my problem. I learn new grammar but if I dont practice I forget. I like the conversation in our class. This is the best class!!!!!!!”

~ Mariana

“The class is helpful. I become nervous when I am talking with people and stop talking. I want more conversation. Your correction for my written homework is very helpful. I learn more words.”

~ Rawia