When Diana Muturia had to leave college and take a job cleaning homes, she thought she’d let her family down. Today, she’s using her experience to build an innovative new business.

On Friday, June 23, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Associate Administrator, Mark Madrid, visited the IRC in Atlanta to celebrate the success of the Community Navigator Pilot Program (CNPP)—a two-year collaboration between the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Atlanta, Refugee Women’s Network (RWN), the Latin American Association (LAA), and the Somali American Community Center (SACC)—in honor of World Refugee Day.

Meet Bhanu, who was once a refugee from Bhutan and is now an american citizen and staff member at the IRC in Abilene.

Forty refugee girls participated in a day of activities for International Day of the Girl hosted by the International Rescue Committee and Girl Scouts – Arizona Cactus-Pine Council.

Five years ago, the IRC established a gender action plan to create an environment where women are safe and respected. The plan comes from the belief that the IRC must be a gender equitable organization to deliver gender equitable programs in the communities it serves. Led by executive director Preethi Nampoothiri, the IRC in Silver Spring sets the bar for empowering female leaders.

The digital inclusion program at the IRC in Salt Lake City offers refugees the opportunity to learn how to use technology to their advantage while providing access to the Internet and devices.

Perspectives from Fatou, Veronica and Amrah