In addition to the globe facing challenges that could only be repeatedly described as “unprecedented”, we all found ourselves living our life in new ways.

It was in the instability and uncertainty of 2020 that the idea of an entrepreneurship class for refugee and immigrant women began to take shape. From her dining room, Kelly Ross began to build what would eventually become ECHO Collective.

The idea had already been sown in late 2019 when one of her English as a Second Language students mentioned that she would love to start a business if it weren’t for three formidable and insurmountable barriers: lack of English Language Learner business education, understanding of local laws and regulations, and a social structure that could support her dream.

The Refinery’s first entrepreneurship cohort was comprised of six women, and their graduation in December 2020 was pre-recorded and live-streamed on YouTube. My, how we have grown since then! Check out our full list of graduates under the “Entrepreneurship Programs” tab, and the remarkable ways creativity has healed disconnection under our “Creative Programs” tab.