World Refugee Day: A Commitment to New Beginnings and Lifelong Opportunity

At Cell-Ed, we believe that learning is a right—not a privilege—and that everyone deserves the tools to thrive in their new communities, no matter where they’re starting from. On World Refugee Day, we honor the strength, resilience, and potential of the more than 100 million people who have been forcibly displaced worldwide—especially the refugees and immigrants who now call the United States home.

Many refugees come to America in search of safety, opportunity, and a better life for themselves and their families. But arrival is just the beginning. Adapting to a new country comes with challenges: learning a new language, navigating new systems, finding work, and building a sense of belonging. That’s where Cell-Ed comes in.

We are a mobile-first learning company that delivers essential skills training—including English as a Second Language (ESL), digital literacy, job readiness, and life navigation—all accessible via text, phone, or app, without the need for Wi-Fi or a smartphone. Our programs are co-created with community input and designed to reach learners in the moments and methods that work best for them.

Supporting Refugees with Welcome Start

Cell-Ed’s Welcome Start is a mobile first learning program designed by and for refugees. Welcome Start helps newcomers build the foundational skills and confidence they need for life and work in the U.S.—from navigating public services and schools, to understanding workplace norms, to connecting with their community. It’s available in multiple languages, including English, Dari, Spanish, Pashto, Ukrainian, and Russian, and can be accessed anywhere, anytime.

“Welcome Start meets learners where they are—literally—in their language, on their phones, and at their pace,” said Cell-Ed’s CEO, Jessica Rothenberg-Aalami. “It’s a program built on empathy, empowerment, and equity.”

Our Ongoing Commitment

For over a decade, Cell-Ed has worked with refugee resettlement agencies, libraries, workforce boards, and nonprofit organizations to deliver equitable learning opportunities to immigrants and refugees across the country. From rural agricultural regions to major metro hubs, we’ve partnered to ensure learners can gain the skills they need to succeed and participate fully in their new communities.

Now more than ever, we reaffirm our commitment to welcoming, equipping, and empowering those seeking safety and a fresh start. As crises around the world continue to displace families, Cell-Ed stands ready to help open doors—one text, one course, one learner at a time.

To learn more about Welcome Start visit www.cell-ed.com or contact us at info@cell-ed.com.