About All Voices

Our Mission

All Voices aims to eliminate language as a barrier to success by educating local English language learners (ELLs) to bolster their communication skills, build confidence, and enable them to succeed in Johnson County and beyond. We believe in using a multifaceted approach to obtain this goal:

• Empowering educators by providing comprehensive training and teaching resources to existing and future volunteer English teachers
• Building connections between volunteer English educators and ELLs as conversation partners
• Increasing access to English education for local ELLs
• Strengthening community relationships and fostering mutual understanding

Meet Our Co-Founders

Josie Mbaye

Josie is a student at the University of Iowa pursuing degrees in Environmental Science and Secondary Education. During her past two and a half years of teaching English, she saw the need for community-specific resources in the area. She hopes All Voices will help English tutors and learners in Johnson County and beyond.

Languages: Spanish, Arabic (conversational)

Olga Colmenero

Olga is in her third year at the University of Iowa, pursuing a degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in English as a Second Language and Reading. As a proud first-generation Mexican-American college student, Olga embodies resilience and determination. She is deeply passionate about multicultural education and the teaching of English as a second language.

Languages: Spanish

Our Story

For the past two years, Josie has been dedicated to teaching English to immigrant and refugee adults in Johnson County, collaborating with other volunteers and witnessing the pressing need for resources and comprehensive English teacher training. In the summer of 2024, she became a Gilman Alumni Ambassador and traveled to Washington, D.C. for a four-day training session, where she learned about the Gilman Alumni Changemaker Grant.

She immediately thought of the English language learner community in Johnson County and reached out to Olga, as she shares Josie’s belief that English should never be a barrier to anyone’s success. Together, they developed the project All Voices and applied for the grant.

Sponsored By

Gilman Alumni Changemaker Grant

This project was made possible thanks to the Gilman Alumni Changemaker Grant! This grant is awarded to Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship alumni and enables alumni to continue giving back to communities through grant-supported projects, positively influencing their home communities with skills and knowledge gained during their international experiences.

• Josie received the Gilman Scholarship to study abroad in Valparaíso, Chile, during the spring of 2023
• Olga received the Gilman Scholarship to study abroad in London, U.K., during the summer of 2023

What We Offer

Through collaboration, education, and compassion, we work to strengthen confidence, foster mutual understanding, and empower individuals to achieve success. Together, we foster understanding, celebrate cultural diversity, and create opportunities for growth and connection.

All Voices resources are always free to use!

All resources are available in multiple languages: English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Kiswahili, and Haitian Creole.