Parwana, Afghan parolee and mother of two, is no stranger to overcoming adversity. When her family fled to the U.S. after the Taliban took control of Kabul, she was prepared to face many challenges as they built a new life for themselves in Maryland. 

My only goal was for my kids to go to school, my husband to get a job, and I hoped one day I would learn English - Parwana

Because Parwana worked as a Dari and Pashto teacher in Afghanistan, she knew the importance of language literacy in establishing her life in the U.S. When she was first resettled, her basic English language skills caused her challenges in taking public transit and difficulties with digital literacy made platforms like Zoom difficult to use when taking classes or interviewing for jobs. In addition, while Parwana relied on extended family to assist with childcare back in Afghanistan, she now had to find alternative, and often costly, options for day care services. Many women like Parwana find themselves facing similar barriers that differ from those of their male counterparts while being resettled in the same contexts.  

To address the