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ATL Dependable Profile: Daywoe Nimeley

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At Amplio, we consider it a privilege to connect great companies with the most hard-working and dependable employees on the market—the refugee workforce. But our biggest “win” is when those individuals get hired on permanently.

Recently we were able to celebrate with Daywoe Nimeley, as he moved from a temporary to a permanent position at Gates Corporation, where he’s been working as an Amplio employee since fall of last year.

For Daywoe, this upward move has brought about more benefits than he could have even imagined. But perhaps the most impactful of all— stability.

Stability is not something many refugees take for granted, including Daywoe. Born in Liberia, a country infamous for its ongoing wars and civil unrest, he was seemingly born “on the run”. Education was intermittent for him and his seven siblings as they moved back and forth from different cities and villages to protect their lives, eventually landing in a refugee camp.

It is estimated that less than 1% of refugees are fortunate enough to ever be resettled. In 2006, Daywoe and his family became included in those lucky few.

Approved for entry into the United States, the family resettled in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. By now Daywoe was seventeen, and staring down the daunting challenges of learning a new language and procuring a job, in spite of his limited education.

A decade later, now with a wife and two young children, Daywoe still found himself struggling to make ends meet. He worked long days at two different jobs, but still faced seemingly insurmountable financial difficulties.

While working as a barber, a customer told him about Amplio Recruiting—a staffing company helping refugees find gainful employment. Daywoe took down the number and called and was connected to Luke Keller who immediately began working with him to find the right fit.

Daywoe remembers this first visit—“When I came to look for a job, I wasn’t a professional kind of person. I was struggling. Luke looked beyond all that and embraced me and treated me like a professional.”

Luke walked him through the application process and connected him in a warehouse position at Gates Corporation, a nearby distribution center for vehicle parts.

“It was the fastest job I’ve ever got!” Daywoe shares, excitedly.

At Gates, Daywoe works with approximately 100 other employees and temps to pull and package hoses, water pumps and belts.

From day one he dreamed of being hired on full-time, and was not shy about it.

“From the beginning he wanted to be hired,” laughs Gates Corporation HR representative, Karen Hall, responsible for the company’s recruiting, relations, and more. “He would ask, ‘When are you going to hire me?’ and I would say, ‘Have patience.’”

Daywoe’s patience paid off. Last month he achieved his dream. Upon being hired permanently, Daywoe will receive an increase in pay, amazing health benefits and paid training on various equipment, including forklift, that will improve his skillset.

“He took in everything the supervisors gave him in order to be successful,” Karen explains. “His performance is excellent. Daywoe works so hard to get up to speed in production,” and adds, “He’s very conscientious.”

But his ambitions don’t end there—Daywoe says he’s working hard to learn more, “bigger” equipment, adding “The more you learn the more you earn!”

Daywoe is among thousands of motivated and loyal refugees searching for opportunity across the U.S. With labor shortages on the rise in construction, manufacturing and service industries, we believe the answer lies within the dependable refugee workforce.

Contact us today to learn about the benefits of hiring individuals just like Daywoe to bring dependability and efficiency to your company.

May Partner Spotlight: Refuge Coffee Co., Clarkston GA

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Each month this year, Amplio will be highlighting a different non-profit partner providing job preparation and job training within the refugee communities we serve. More than just words, we are committing to financially support the work of the partner we select each month and want you to join us! We will match every dollar given to the Amplio Foundation this month, up to $1000, in support of this month’s partner.

In the heart of Clarkston, just a few miles outside Atlanta, Georgia, you’ll spot a bright red truck that has become synonymous with the city itself—Refuge Coffee.

Here you’ll find all the typical fare of a café, but Refuge serves up far more than cappuccinos, teas and lattes. This community-focused organization is creating jobs, oneness, and hope in a city where approximately half of its residents are refugees rebuilding their lives here in America.

Refuge’s Community Engagement Director, Jessica Darnell, shares about their early days: “Kitti Murray (Refuge’s founder) and I went to church together, in the same small group. Back then Refuge was just a dream and an idea she would share about. As things started to happen, we would plan block parties and pour overs and Kitty would share the vision with others.”

That vision? “A vibrant resettled refugee community… where our new neighbors are embraced and given opportunities to thrive through the business of hospitality through coffee,” in Clarkston. They bought a truck and painted it red, then began selling coffee out of it and hosting events that would build community in the small town. It was simple, and it worked.

Jessica, who began as a volunteer at Refuge, was soon brought on-board as Director of Jobs Training and tasked with the responsibility of establishing a program that would teach refugees valuable skills that would help them acquire employment. About this time, Kitti and Jessica became acquainted with Chris Chancey, because of their similar work within the refugee town.

“Chris asked amazing questions we had never thought about,” Jessica shares, “‘What is the job training going to look like? What will be the material?’ Kitti and I looked at each other and thought, ‘I don’t know—we’ve never done this before!’”

Chris connected them with Jobs for Life, a faith-based organization uniting churches, businesses and community organizations to build relationships with, train and mentor the unemployed. Jessica remembers those very first days of job training classes, “It was a perfect fit. [Sometimes] Chris would come in and speak to the trainees… sharing testimony and encouragement,” she shares.

But it wasn’t long before Darnell took the reigns on another challenge: connecting with families and organizations to better understand their needs, empowering the resilient refugee community to move beyond survival and truly thrive. Now, Refuge has partnered with Somali American Community Center to help with after school programs; Refuge for Refugees to host a coat drive; and Clarkston Food Initiative to provide food mapping to newly settled immigrants, to name a few.

“We can be a helping hand to people who are already doing good work within the community,” she says, “We help spread the word about what [resources already] exist.”

One of these valuable partnerships has been with Amplio.

“Every time we’ve had an open position [at Refuge], we’ve put it out to the Amplio team and he gets it around to his people,” says Jessica.

Malek Almarash was recruited through Amplio in November 2016. Since then, he’s grown grown leaps and bounds in his English and cultural skills and becoming more proficient and relatable within the obstinate American business world—so much so that he’s been working on growing the family catering business. He’s procured a food service license, passed the health code inspection, and even bartered with artists to produce a logo—all while earning his GED.

Refuge is all about impacting lives through the power of community. In the past three years they’ve welcomed over 70,000 individuals from 60 countries. In 2017 they rallied the community to raise enough money to purchase a property in the center of town, their bright red truck still serving coffee out front as a landmark of welcome.

Now, Kitti shares, the company is figuring out how to leverage the space most effectively to engage the refugee community and beyond and developing ways to hire and train more refugees.

But their biggest budget need is to replace the facility’s roof.

“[Refuge is] cool and retro and warm and all that, but the roof leaks,” says the campaign website, which is aimed at raising the $30,000 needed in just 30 days.

The project is just “phase one” of a bigger plan to build out the existing facility into a “more effective event venue” for the community.

At Amplio, we are grateful for the work that Refuge Coffee Co. is doing to build community in Clarkston. Last month we were a proud sponsor of Refuge’s annual 5k, a fun community event that helps to rally funds and support to help their great cause. Now, we would love to invite you in joining us to support Refuge. As our May partner, any donation given to the Amplio Foundation will be matched (up to $1,000) and given to support Refuge’s “Roof Refuge” fundraiser.

To make a charitable donation, visit the Amplio Foundation page. Scroll down and click the Donate Now button. Fill in the amount and payment information, as well as whether you would like for it to be a one-time gift or recurring donation. Click the Give button and you’re done! Thank you for partnering with us to support the refugee workforce.

Follow Refuge Coffee Co. on social media for updates:  Facebook  |  Instagram | Twitter

A Look Into the United States Refugee Vetting Process

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Last month marked one year since President Trump issued his infamous “Muslim ban”, an executive order blocking citizens of six countries from entering the United States from entering the U.S. for 90 days—refugees for 120. The order attracted praise from some, while others rose up to rally against. It caused chaos and confusion in airports and refugee homes across the country.

While the order was ultimately blocked, it marked the beginning of an ongoing conversation amongst United States citizens surrounding immigration.

How many refugees does our country let in each year?

Where do those refugees come from?

What is the screening process that takes place?

 

These are incredibly valid questions that should be asked. And when you dig into the research, the answers just might surprise you.

Of the more than 65 million refugees worldwide, less than one half of one percent are resettled in the United States each year. Those chosen for resettlement in the United States endure a strenuous vetting that takes, on average, 18-24 months to complete—but can be longer based on the applicants nationality.

So what does that process look like? While it would take a textbook to lay out every single intricacy, we’ve broken down the basic process here:

1. First, a person or family flees their country due to war, natural disaster or fear of persecution based on their race, religion, origin, political opinion, or social group. In order to be considered a “refugee”, they must cross the border out of their home country and into another. There, in the foreign country, they can file with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees—or UNHCR.

Former Amplio employee (read to the end to find out what he’s doing now!), Malek Alarmash interviewed with us recently to share his family’s personal experience:

“I left Syria and went to Jordan, then waited 3 or 4 months. Once I got on my feet I was able to bring my parents and my sister. When they came, we all applied together with UNCHR. We became refugees.”

 

2. The UNHCR administers an iris scan to establish the applicant’s identity. Then it is up to them to determine whether to a.) send the refugees back home to their own country, if it is safe enough, b.) keep them in the neighboring country in which they’ve sought refuge or c.) resettle them in host country, like the United States. It is important to note that refugees cannot pick their country of resettlement.

“They had many interviews with us,” Malek explains about this interim process. “We had to provide documents and ID, and renew every year. We had to tell them about where we lived and how we worked. After we renewed twice (two years), they asked us, ‘Would you like to get resettled in another country like the United States, Canada, or Europe?’ and of course we said yes. And in June 2015 they called us regarding an opportunity to come to the U.S.”

 

3. If referred to the United States, the case is assigned to one of nine U.S. ran Resettlement Support Centers (RSC) stationed across the world. The United States government collects fingerprints to begin biometric checks against multiple databases including the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense. Paperwork is collected and a trained RSC officer travels to where the applicants are to conduct face-to-face interviews to determine credibility.

During this part of the process, continuous interagency checks ensure the authenticity of the applicant. “The agencies are looking for potential security threats, including connections to known bad actors, and past immigration or criminal violations,” according to the State Department’s Website.

Natasha Hall, a former immigration officer, describes this part of the grueling process over at The Washington Post saying, “I saw countless refugees break down crying in my interview room because of the length and severity of the vetting process.”

Malek’s story testifies to the length and intensity of the interviews:

“From June 2015 to August 2016 we had five interviews. They asked us about the war, how we left Syria, how our life was, how we became refugees in Jordan.

The [first] interviews were from 7am until probably 3 or 4pm. They took our documentation to send to the IOM (International Organization for Migration). They interviewed us as a family, then separated us to make sure our answers lined up.

Then we started interviewing with the IOM. It’s a longer procedure. The interviews were from 5am until 6pm. We had three interviews in a big, secure office that belonged to the United States.”

4. If no red flags have been raised, the applicant is referred back to the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for further review—i.e. yet another interview, and round of fingerprinting.

Additional reviews and biometric data are required for refugees entering from Syria. It’s important to note that security checks can expire if the vetting process takes too long. All expired steps must be repeated before they can be cleared. Natasha Hall shares the plight of many refugees, “imagine…waiting years in a camp, freezing in tents and unable to put their children in school. Some continue to receive threats — and some applicants are killed while waiting.

 

5. If the applicant is approved for resettlement in the United States, they must undergo medical screening to ensure they are without any communicable diseases that may pose a public health threat. If the applicant tests positive for disease, this does not void their application—they are treated and required to be screened again until they are cleared. Again, though—if any security checks expire during this time, they must be repeated.

 

6. Refugees are assigned to a voluntary sponsor agency in the U.S. who will assist them upon arrival. The International Organization for Migration handles all travel logistics. While waiting on final processing, applicants are given a “culture orientation” to help prepare them for life in the U.S.

Malek shares about the final stages of their resettlement:

“After all the interviews they called us in July and said, “You guys are approved to come to the United States and you have one week to travel.’ We had one week to make arrangements with jobs, schools– everything. Then they called us the day of traveling and said, ‘Your flight has been cancelled.’ We waited 15 days before they called back and told us we could leave.

We flew from Jordan to Germany. Germany to Florida. Florida to Georgia. In each country we had an IOM representative who spoke Arabic. They welcomed us and showed us where to go and what to do.”

7. When refugees arrive in the United States, a Customs and Border Protection officer reviews their documentation one last time and conducts additional security checks to ensure that the arriving individual is the same person who was screened and approved for admission.

 

This multi-step, time-consuming process is not for the faint of heart. As twenty top national security experts put it in a letter to Congress in 2015, “[Refugees] are vetted more intensively than any other category of traveler…”

So intensively and so accurately that problems with refugees in the U.S. are all but non-existent. A study completed by the Cato Institute found that “out of millions of refugees resettled to the United States over several decades, just 20 have committed or attempted attacks. They killed three people, all in the 1970s, before the creation of the modern screening system.”

In fact, “the annual chance of being killed in a terrorist attack committed by a refugees is 1 in 3.6 billion,” whereas the annual chance of being struck by lightning is 1 in 700,000 (over 50,000% more likely).

Refugees are not looking for a hand out, they’re looking for a hand up. They’re looking for basic human rights—safety, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. As of April 2018, a mere 11 Syrian refugees have been admitted to the U.S., despite ongoing devastation. Millions are displaced while others remain trapped in cities, starving. Join us in raising our voice to ask #WhereRtheRefugees

At Amplio, we’re offering help and hope to refugees by connecting them to sustainable jobs here in the U.S. We believe in the resilience and dependability of the refugee workforce and love connecting great companies with this unique labor shortage solution.

We would love to connect to share more about our benefits and services. Visit our website or contact us today to get started.

 

A big thank you to Malek Alarmash for sharing his experience with us. Malek and his mom now run a successful Syrian catering business in Clarkston, Georgia. They are among many ambitious, entrepreneurial immigrants who make America great. To hav them cater your next event, send an e-mail to: Suryana.cuisine@gmail.com

 

Our mission at Amplio is helping great companies hire dependable people from the refugee workforce. In conjunction with that mission we recognize our unique authority to serve as advocates for refugees around the globe. Therefore, we proudly claim any opinions in this article as a representation of our business and its impact in the communities we serve.

Team Member Highlight: Yonten Basnet

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Yonten Basnet is an American immigrant using his intellect and experience in staffing as Amplio’s newest team member.

Yonten was born in Kalimpong, in West Bengal, India, a hill town with stunning views of the Himalayan Mountains. However most of his growing up years were spent in Bhutan, where his dad became the first FIFA sanctioned soccer player to represent the country.

In the 1990s, Bhutan went through an ethnic exodus when over 1/6th of its population fled, fleeing discrimination. Many spent 10-15 years in refugee camps before being resettled worldwide.

A widely Buddhist nation, and religious practices outside of Buddhism and Hinduism are strongly discouraged in Bhutan. Over the years it has become increasingly difficult for Christian families like Yonten’s to practice their faith freely. His grandfather had been the first to translate the Bible into simplified Tibetan, making it accessible and understandable for common Tibetans.

So when his brother was offered a scholarship to play soccer in America, the whole family decided to follow. They settled in Stone Mountain, a city in East Atlanta. Now 17, and nearly finished with his education, Yonten completed his GED and began working immediately, using his multilingual skills to translate for local companies. A hard worker, he coached soccer, and even performed circuit board repair for Google fiber on the side.

It wasn’t long before his intellect and strong people skills landed him a job at a local recruiting company. But the long hours of placing and replacing employees left Yonten feeling less-than-fulfilled and burned out. As he began looking for other options, his brother, now working for World Relief, told him about a different kind of staffing company connecting refugees to jobs here in America. That company was Amplio Recruiting.

Coincidentally, Amplio was on the hunt for a new recruiter to meet the needs of his growing company. Yonten sat down for an interview with Stephen Assink who was immediately impressed. After many interviews with other candidates, they had finally found a match– Yonten checked all the “boxes”, and then some.

He was hired on as Recruiting Coordinator in March of this year and has already proven himself an incredible asset.

“Yonten has walked the journey of so many of our employees,” says Amplio CEO Chris Chancey. “He has such a joyful attitude and servant’s heart– along with a wealth of staffing and recruiting experience. We’re so grateful he’s on our team and know that he will be pivotal to our growth.”

Yonten, too, is satisfied with his contributions thus far. “Since I’ve been here, we’ve helped a lot of refugees find jobs,” he shares proudly of his work.

His favorite part of the job? “The people,” he answers simply, without hesitation. “They come from so many different nationalities. I’m always learning new things!”

“Even if they don’t have experience, I help them tweak their resume and tell them to be confident, not silent. Intimidation is a factor—many don’t know much English—in their culture going to an office and talking to people is a big deal. At Amplio, we make them feel comfortable.”

Yonten, who already speaks Nepali, Dzonkha, Hindi and English says he wants to add Spanish to his repertoire so that he can help more people.

At Amplio Recruiting, we are passionate about helping businesses connect with the dependable refugee workforce. Yonten is just one of our many proud employees who are committed to putting in the time to find not just any fit—but the right fit—for your company’s needs.

To learn more about the benefits of hiring refugees, and the services we have available, visit our website or contact us today.

ATL Dependable Profile: Robe Kumsa

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Like many immigrants, Robe Kumsa came to the United States in pursuit of a great education and the opportunity to prove her capability in the U.S. job market. But when her rose-colored dreams were met with a less-than-ideal reality, she turned to Amplio and got the leg up she needed.

 

Born and raised on a farm in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Robe has never been a stranger to hard work. Her family grew everything from an assortment of grains to dark, chocolate-noted Ethiopian coffee.

She received a traditional education and went on to attend college, earning a diploma in secretary science and office management. Robe’s degree landed her a job in a government office, in the city, where she performed the important task of entering census information into databases. She met her husband, a senior plumbing technician, through their local church and the two married in 2011.

During this time, Robe’s desire to learn and grow continually fueled her desire to come to the United States. She applied repeatedly for the country’s visa “lottery”, only to be denied again and again.

Finally, on May 2, 2014, Robe got the good news she had waited to hear for nearly 15 years—she was accepted into the program.

Excited and nervous, the couple landed in Atlanta nearly a year later. They immediately took jobs at the local farmer’s market—her, a cashier; him, working maintenance. But Robe yearned for more.

“Back home I was in a professional role for 18 years,” she shares, “I was working with the government and banks, and in different administrative roles. I was using technology. Then I came here and could only find a job as a cashier… I had more capacity.”

Capacity. A struggle that many immigrants and refugees face when coming to America. Many have worked prestigious roles back home, as nurses, doctors and engineers, only to have their experience and expertise minimalized here in the U.S. They take humble jobs with menial pay that fall short of their capacity to contribute to society.

Fortunately for Robe, a good friend shared with her about a staffing company matching individuals like herself with jobs where they could utilize their skills, experience and work ethic—their full capacity. At Amplio Recruiting she met with recruiting coordinator, Bethelhem Bidiglen, also an Ethiopian native. Bethelhem listened attentively to Robe’s story, taking note of her skills and experience, and helped her fill out an application.

It wasn’t too long before a local electronic manufacturing company, Engent Inc., reached out to Amplio about a new, quality assurance position.

“They wanted someone with a fluency in technology, who was detail-oriented. We’d never placed anyone in that position before,” shares CEO, Chris Chancey.

Believing she would rise to the occasion, CEO Chris Chancey and Bethelhem called in Robe, who went to an interview with the company the next day. The response was less than what they hoped for.

“[They] emailed me immediately and said, ‘This isn’t going to work. She doesn’t have any experience,’” shares Chris, candidly.

But because of their trusted relationship with Amplio, they allowed Robe to begin training, giving her an opportunity to prove herself.

During that training, Chris heard back from Engent: the company was so impressed with how quickly she adapted to the training, picked up skills and asked intelligent questions that after only a week of training they felt she was ready to start on a shift all by herself.

Robe’s intelligence, work ethic and growth mindset proved her capability.

Now, working the third shift, Robe performs the critical task of checking electronic microchip processors being produced to make sure they are up to standard. The job is high stakes, requiring great attention to detail, but comes with the opportunity to advance within the company.

From a professional position in Addis Ababa to minimum wage cashier here in the U.S., she was left disillusioned by her dreams. Now, she is making $30K a year and starting a promising career in quality assurance. While her husband still works at the Farmers Market full time, after hours he is training with Tekton to earn his certificate and return to a career in plumbing.

“In the first months, I felt like we may have made a mistake in coming here,” Robe shares. “Now, I have a bright hope.”

Amplio is proud to take part in bringing hope to refugee families through connecting them with sustainable, fulfilling jobs that will turn into lifelong careers. We believe in the dependability and capacity of individuals like Robe, whose growth-mindsets set them apart from the crowd. What they do not know, they are motivated to learn– an invaluable asset in the workplace.

If you would like more information about hiring other hard-working individuals like Robe, visit our website to learn more about the Refugee Workforce, or give us a call today.

April Partner Spotlight: CLARKSTON Documentary

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Each month this year, we’re highlighting organizations providing job preparation and training, and raising awareness about the refugee community we serve. More than just words, we are committing to financially support the work of the partner we select each month and want you to join us! In April, every dollar given to the Amplio Foundation will be matched and given to support CLARKSTON, a documentary premiering in 2020.

 

Erin Bernhardt is a former CNN writer and producer using her skills in journalism and filmmaking to create movies that make a difference. Her passion for raising awareness about important issues has taken her everywhere from the TEDx stage, to the Peace Corps of Madagascar, and now to the most diverse square mile in America—Clarkston, Georgia.

Erin, who deems the unique town as her “favorite place on earth” shares that her love for Clarkston began when she was volunteering there over ten years ago.

“It’s a healing place for me,” she shares, adding that her second date with her husband was in Clarkston.

The quaint town is an anomaly in modern America; it’s population peaceful, despite coming from different countries, religions and backgrounds. It is a town of refugees, lives upheaved, looking to re-build.

But Erin and her husband weren’t the only ones fascinated by the tiny southern town. Industry friends, Joseph and Alicia East, also known for their humanitarian journalism, felt drawn to Clarkston. Vexed by current events and the ongoing narrative of hate and racism in our country, the four began asking themselves if and how they could leverage their skills to make an impact. The idea: share the stories of refugees living in Clarkston to change that narrative.

The idea for a documentary became concrete in Summer 2017, and together—Erin, Joseph and Alicia joined with former architect Din Blankenship to begin the initial stages of production.

The documentary, working title “CLARKSTON,” is set to film all of 2018. With countless inspiring and compelling stories to explore, the team is following individuals such as Doctors Heval Kelli and Kajin Abdullah, Mama Amina Osman, Police Chief Hudson, and Mayor Ted Terry; and establishments ranging from the Community Health Center to locals’ favorite Refuge Coffee Company.

 

 

The film’s website describes, “Through intimate and interwoven character-driven stories, CLARKSTON explores the inner-workings of this unique place and exposes the innumerable obstacles and unyielding hope its residents face. It is an astounding and inspirational story of acceptance, goodwill, enterprise, collaboration, optimism… and what it truly means to be an American.”

The goal of the film is not to victimize refugees or incur pity, but to bring dignity to these strong survivors, invoke empathy, and renew a sense of patriotism—the idea that our nation was founded as place of acceptance and freedom for all mankind.

“Our goals are the same,” shares co-producer, Din Blankenship, “We want to see change. The way we impact change in our country and in policy is to change hearts; we tell stories that help people identify and empathize.”

“The film won’t be political,” Erin adds, “but we hope to bring human rights to the forefront. [We want to] change the national narrative of hate to one of open mindedness.”

Director and cinematographer, Joseph East, chimes in, “There is something powerful about making people realize that refugees are just like anybody else. If we can show someone on the screen—a grandmother or kid—it melts away whatever walls can be there. It’s hard to hate somebody whose story you know.”

The team, who set out to impact others, is discovering that the process works both ways. Their eyes have been opened, even more, to the incredible strength and resilience of refugees and the need to speak out for their human rights.

“I’ve seen how much they appreciate the simplest things… having certain freedoms that have been compromised or don’t exist in the places they have come from. It’s put a mirror up to how much I can really take for granted,” explains Joseph.

The film is anticipated to release in January 2020. The months and days between now and then will be filled with connections and coffee, filming and editing, interviews and promotion—and everything in between.

To help, the small but mighty team has added to their crew. After connecting with Amplio, they hired a local refugee, Abdul Mohamad, as a consultant and production assistant, a decision they are all very happy about.

 

 

Abdul shares, “My favorite part of working on this film is getting to know so many people [while] getting to work with experienced filmmakers, and getting to talk with people who have interest in this matter and want to stand up and help refugees. I didn’t realize there were so many white people who want to protect this community.”

The team says they plan to train and hire more Clarkston residents, including new Americans and native-born Americans alike. The apprenticeship will give these individuals the incredible opportunity to acquire skills that will help them be hired by more production crews, in the future.

“The sky is the limit!” says Erin, excited about the opportunity to launch others into the growing field. “Georgia is home to more productions than Hollywood now!” she adds.

The budget for this critical project is $700,000, which the team plans to raise via grants, donations, and investments. Their goal is not simply to raise funds, but raise awareness to get more individuals involved and invested in the film.

 

 

“The dream is that anyone who cares about refugee rights, and human rights, and positive stories… would give at least $5,” Erin explains. “Then they have ownership in it. They’ll go see the film, and share about it.”

You can learn more by visiting their website at ClarkstonFilm.com where you can sign up for email updates. You can also follow the crew and filming process on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Amplio is grateful for the opportunity to support creative initiatives to advocate for the refugee workforce.

“We are excited about the film,” says Chris Chancey, CEO of Amplio, “Because we recognize a greater understanding of the refugee community to a mass audience will yield a greater number of refugees given job opportunities in our country.

As our April partner, any contribution given to the Amplio Foundation will be matched, dollar for dollar by Amplio, up to $1,000.

To make a charitable donation, visit the Amplio Foundation page. Scroll down and click the Donate Now button. Fill in the amount and payment information, as well as whether you would like for it to be a one-time gift or recurring donation. Click the Give button and you’re done!

As always, thank you for partnering with us to support the refugee workforce.

Company Story: Gourmet Foods International, Atlanta GA

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When production manager Orlando Morrow reached out to Amplio, he was skeptical the staffing company could provide what others hadn’t—dependability.

A nine-year veteran of Gourmet Foods International, Orlando is responsible for overseeing the manufacturing department which cuts down large portions of cheese into smaller ones for packaging and distribution. A man of many “hats”, he takes responsibility of everything from scheduling to production, hiring and training employees, to managing budgets

But in summer of 2017, the frustration of constant turnover and labor shortages almost proved too much for Orlando, who admits he was “about ready to be done”. Despite his vast experience and best efforts, Orlando struggled to get his shifts to the “magic” number of 30 employees. He turned to the help of traditional staffing companies, but his expectations fell flat.

“They only wanted to provide me with bodies,” Morrow shares, “Every week I would go through 8 or 9 people. Turnover was, like, 90%. It was straining my full-time employees.”

At that time a friend working at the Atlanta Athletic Club, a current Amplio client, shared about a new staffing company and recommended he give it a try. That company was Amplio Recruiting, specializing in bringing dependability to U.S. companies via the refugee workforce.

“I went on the website and got more info and said, ‘Okay, this is something different.’ [The idea of hiring refugees] never registered to me [and since] diversity is very important to me. I said, ‘Why not?’”

Orlando called Amplio, and shared his department’s struggles with account manager, Stephen Assink. Unlike other staffing agencies, Stephen and the team worked together to deliberately and strategically pair pre-screened, qualified employees with job openings within the department. Their goal: to bring Orlando’s department up to a healthy, productive level once more. And it worked.

“We have built our workforce,” Orlando shares, describing the change they’ve seen over the past 6 months. The department, which started with a handful of Amplio employees saw such a stark difference that they continued to bring on even more.

“We have dependability. Our overtime dramatically dropped. The help came in and relieved our full-time workers. We were no longer stressed out and strained. Our employees are grateful. [I] don’t have to keep training people every day, and [I’m] happy about it.”

Orlando, who jokes that he speaks “one and a half languages” now, is clearly endeared to his team who hail from all over the world.  “I’ve got a melting pot on my shift,” he describes, “Iraqi, Congolese, Angola, Eritrean, Latinas, Syrians, Caucasians…”

Morrow doesn’t shy away from any topic, and shares candidly about the experience of integrating diverse cultures into the workplace. “I’ll be honest,” he shares, “Some people were initially uncomfortable with [women wearing] hijabs [headdresses]. I had to go to defense several times. I don’t play with stereotypes or racism. I don’t tolerate it whatsoever.”

Now, he says, the team has become like family.

“It’s great to see. They work together, eat together, do outside social functions. They’re mixing outside of work, learning [each other’s] cultures, too.”

 

The results are clear: hiring through Amplio has been a win-win-win:

The company has gained the dependability and productivity they longed for.

Their employees have been introduced to new cultures and nurtured empathy.

And refugees have been given the opportunity to provide for their families and prove themselves as productive citizens.

 

To anyone looking for change in the workplace, Orlando says it best—

“Go outside your comfort zone. A company has nothing to lose by integrating refugees into their workforce.”

 

At Amplio, we connect you with this talented and motivated refugee workforce, who will bring this same dependability and efficiency to your company as it did for Orlando. Let us be your number one labor shortage solution by providing you with highly qualified and ambitious employees

To learn more about us, our services and screening process, visit our website or give us a call today.

 

ATL Dependable Profile: Fanny Ndango

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While any other in her situation would struggle to find joy, Fanny Ndango’s smile is as beautiful and bright as the traditional African dresses she dons regularly.

Sometimes she sews them herself, one of the many talents hidden behind her humble demeanor. But more often than not, she shares, they are sent by her mother—a long voyage over the Atlantic…

The same voyage made by Fanny and her family not so long ago.

They hail from the Central African Republic, right in the heart of Africa. An infamously turbulent country, the country’s government has yet to find its political “groove” since declaring independence from France in 1960.

Fanny, her husband and seven children lived in the capital of Bangui, “the scene of intense rebel activity and destruction during… political upheaval.” Fanny was a nursing student, with a passion for politics. A proud supporter of the President François Bozizé, she served her country as a representative, and was nearly at the top of her party at the height of the regime.

But in November 2012, it all came to an abrupt and violent end. Seleka rebels overran the capital, seizing power and sending Bozizé and his party fleeing for their very lives—including Fanny.

“We got in a car and drove to Brazzaville,” she shares, “to a refugee camp.”

That’s Brazzaville, Congo—where already over 100,000 refugees were crammed into camps, fleeing their own country’s violence. Over forty hours away from the only life they knew, to survive.

In spite of their terrible circumstances, they bravely looked to the future. Fanny’s husband, a computer tutor back home, took jobs to provide for the family while the couple searched out more permanent options—more specifically, applying for refugee status.

Much to their relief, they were approved and accepted for admission into the United States. And with the help of the United Nations Refugee Agency and World Relief, they settled in the quaint, but famously multi-cultural town of Clarkston, located on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia.

Her husband was able to find work at the Omni, a luxury Atlanta hotel. Fanny had given up her life for what she believed in—for the future of her country—and now wondered what her own future might hold.

She learned about a local staffing company helping other refugees find jobs and decided to check it out. There, at Amplio Recruiting, they listened as she shared her experience in politics and education in nursing, among other things.

Her clear English and work ethic made her an excellent candidate for one of many job openings, and it wasn’t long before she “landed” a job at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Fanny is one of the many Amplio employees keeping the International Terminal spotless and welcoming to travelers from all over the world.

Though she never imagined having to start over in an unfamiliar country, Fanny is proud of the life they’ve built. She and her husband model this pride, and unequivocal work ethic for their seven school-age children, who they hope will go on to pursue distinguished careers in healthcare or in the judicial system one day.

As for her own dreams, Fanny’s are simple: “I want to speak very good English and write,” she continues, “and finish the nursing program.”

What will she write about?

“My story,” she says.

Fanny’s story, like other refugees, is still being written. They’ve persevered through unexpected and unimaginable circumstances and yet press on, determined to continue to rise above their circumstances. Determined to add value to their new communities by bringing their skills and work ethic to the table. Determined to find their happily ever after.

At Amplio, we’re connecting great companies to this talented and dependable Refugee Workforce. At the same time, we’re giving refugees like Fanny a “hand up” in their journey to being self-sustainable once more.

We would love to be your company’s number one labor shortage solution. Visit us online to learn more about Amplio’s services, and the benefits of hiring the refugee workforce.

 

 

March Partner Spotlight: New American Pathways, Atlanta GA

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Each month this year, Amplio will be highlighting a different non-profit partner providing job preparation and job training within the refugee communities we serve. More than just words, we are committing to financially support the work of the partner we select each month and want you to join us! We will match every dollar given to the Amplio Foundation this month, up to $1000, in support of this month’s partner.

 

Our partner spotlight for the month of March is New American Pathways in Atlanta, Georgia. Amplio is privileged to partner with New American Pathways and the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies (CRSA) for the second year in a row, to sponsor their annual New Americans Celebration at the Georgia State Capitol on March 15th.

As a member of the CRSA, New American Pathways helps organize the New Americans Celebration as part of their Civic Engagement program— one of the many distinct programs designed to promote safety, stability, self-sufficiency and success for refugees in Georgia.

Recently we had the honor of interviewing CEO, Paedia Mixon and Civic Engagement Manager, Stephanie Ali to learn more about how their organization is putting refugees and their families on the pathway to success.

New American Pathways was formed in October 2014 when the former Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta (RRISA) and Refugee Family Services (RFS) merged together under one roof, joining forces to increase their effectiveness in helping refugees during their first months after arriving in the United States.

Paedia, who had been with RRISA since 2005, was named Pathway’s CEO and given the daunting task of piloting the new organization. Now, more than three years later, Paedia praises her team, calling them “smart, talented and passionate” and adding they’re “one of the greatest teams of anywhere [she’s] worked”.

As one, the organization actively designs programs that meet the specific challenges refugees face upon arrival. They provide “proven pathways for refugees and other immigrants to realize their full potential while becoming productive, contributing members of Georgia’s communities.”

Paedia explains what makes their program not only unique, but successful:

“We look at serving refugees as being on a journey with the families we serve. The continuum of services are designed to meet them where they are and help them on their pathway to citizenship, reaching key milestones along the way. The programs build on one another. Traditional resettlement agencies help [refugees] become safe, stable and reach self-sufficiency—we see that as a jumping board.”

These programs cover a broad span including: jobs, education, cultural integration, individual and female empowerment, building strong families, and civic engagement.

Their approach has proven effective. New American Pathways is empowering over 5,000 refugees every year to become successful and productive members of their new homes. Contributions from individuals and grants from companies like Coca-Cola have enabled them to create new programs that fill the gaps in successful refugee resettlement like their Women’s Employment program. This program, which is still in its beginning stages, helps often overlooked refugee and immigrant women overcome barriers, such as childcare, to be able to pursue careers and contribute to their families’ success.

But the two of the programs Paedia and Stephanie are most excited about in 2018 are also the ones still in need of funding.

The first is their Forward program, designed to help refugees and immigrant take the crucial next step of moving from a job that helps pay bills to a sustainable, fulfilling career. “The Forward program focuses on advanced English literacy, mentoring and advanced job placement,” Paedia explains. “It moves someone making $10-12 an hour to a career that will sustain them and take advantage of the skills they bring.”

The second is their Civic Engagement program. Stephanie Ali, who started as an intern in 2012, has taken the reins on this relevant initiative. An advocate for refugees and immigrants, she has an unparalleled passion for helping them learn the ins and outs of the government, their rights, and how they can take action.

“In 2017 we were able to register over 5,500 new citizens to vote,” Stephanie shares, “That’s 5,500 people who want to be a part of the conversation instead of being talked about.”

“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the table,” she states bluntly, adding that she’s seeing more and more interest because of the current political climate.

Birhane Kini is a 22 year old Eritrean young man who was resettled along with his family in Clarkston 4 years ago through New American Pathways. Birhane was placed by Amplio into a maintenance tech position with a local apartment complex and is now accessing further support from New American Pathways in the process of becoming a US citizen. Birhane shares his excitement by saying, “The citizenship process is going well and when I can say I am a citizen it will make me very proud.”

Together these two honorable programs are approximately $76,000 short on funds for the 2018 calendar year. As passionate supporters of refugee entrepreneurship, job preparation and career skills development, we are excited about the Forward program and the “hand-up” it will provide Georgia refugees.

We would love for you to join us in supporting New American Pathways in their mission to help refugees and immigrants on the pathway to success. As our March partner, any donation you give to the Amplio Foundation will be matched (up to $1,000) and given to their worthy cause.

Additionally, we invite you to join us on Thursday, March 15th from 8:00am until 11:30am for the New Americans Celebration. We will meet at the Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (48 M.L.K. Jr. Drive SW, Atlanta) and proceed to the State Capitol. If you would like to join up, send us an email to let us know you’re coming.

To make a charitable donation, visit the Amplio Foundation page. Scroll down and click the Donate Now button. Fill in the amount and payment information, as well as whether you would like for it to be a one-time gift or recurring donation. Click the Give button and you’re done! Thank you for partnering with us to support the refugee workforce.

 

Featured Location: Houston, TX

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The city of Houston spent a great deal of time in the headlines last year after Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on the Texas metropolis. As the record flooding receded, we watched the community’s incredible resilience in the face of devastation, coining the phrase “Houston strong”.

Houston has a lot of bragging rights—with its World Series winning Astros, robust economy, and NASA Mission Control Center. It is estimated that this South Texas city attracts more than 7 million visitors per year. But the strength of the city lies in its residents—all 2.2 million of them.

Houston is not only the most populous city, but also the “most racially and ethnically diverse major metropolis in the U.S.”—surpassing even New York City and Los Angeles. Research shows that 1 out of every 4 Houston residents is foreign-born.

Since the 1970s, more than 70,000 refugees from 78 countries have resettled there starting with an influx of South Vietnamese at the end of the Vietnam war. Now, Harris County takes in approximately 30 of every 1,000 refugees resettled by the U.N. It is said that “if Houston were a country, it would rank 4th in the world for refugee resettlement”.

So what is it about the city that makes it an ideal destination for those escaping war, persecution and natural disasters worldwide? The answer, again, lies it its people. “Texas is the friendliest place you could ever live,” explains Abby Davis, Amplio Dallas managing director. “It’s jam-packed with the most warm-spirited people who want to help.”

It is also home to five refugee resettlement agencies that receive federal funding to provide services to the growing refugee community. While limited funds strap these agencies to providing a mere 3-6 months assistance to new arrivals, local nonprofit and religious organizations step in to fill that gap. PAIR, Amaanah, and many more go above and beyond to meet practical needs from food to English classes and everywhere in between to help refugees acclimate and work their way to becoming self-sustaining citizens.

Proper employment is a crucial key to this process—and Houston’s growing job market provides ample opportunity for those looking for work. Though it experienced a brief setback following Hurricane Harvey in 2017, current projections anticipate the addition of as many as 70,000 jobs in 2018—a 2% increase. This growth depends heavily on the continued health of the oil industry, but even minimal projections expect a modest increase of 42,000 jobs.

If anything, it is feared that labor shortages could most hinder these “energy-boom” projects. Needs include construction, welders, electricians, instrumentation technicians, fabricators and pipe-fitters—all trades skills which are experiencing nationwide shortages. At Amplio, we hope to evade this problem by introducing Houston companies to a vast, but mostly untapped labor pool—the refugee workforce.

As of January 2018, we are excited to announce our expansion into the Houston job market. Dirk and Raquel Cameron, newly-named managing directors, are excited to bring their knowledge, passions and experience to help fill needs in the growing market.

At Amplio, we take pride in providing top notch employees to companies across the U.S., specializing in construction staffing, manufacturing staffing and hospitality staffing. If you’re a Houston business owner or manager looking for socially responsible and sustainable labor shortage solutions, we would love to introduce you to the talented and dependable refugee workforce.

Visit our website or contact Dirk and Raquel to learn more about the practical, financial, and economic benefits of hiring refugees to fill your labor shortage needs today.