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Featured Location: Atlanta, GA

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As a state known for its southern hospitality, Georgia has long been a popular landing pad for many refugees arriving in the U.S.

The “Peach state” welcomed just under 1,000 refugees in the final fiscal quarter of 2016 alone, surpassed only by a handful of larger, more populated states including California and Texas.

The majority of these have settled in a 1.4 square mile stretch of land in East Atlanta, a little town called Clarkston. But what makes this former farmland a desirable destination for new arrivals? The answer lies in its proximity to Atlanta, which puts it just within reach of public transportation, while being far enough away for plenty of affordable housing.

Refugee resettlement programs recognized these benefits in the 1990s, and began placing families. Since then Clarkston has resettled more than 40,000 refugees—a remarkable act for any city, let alone one with a population of just over 12,000 (of which refugees make up half).

Clarkston continues to cultivate their diverse and welcoming community, despite local and national disputes. After the world-famous Paris attacks, in 2015, Georgia Governor Deal issued an order prohibiting Syrian refugees from entering the state until the department had “re-examined the security concerns and established a new process for accepting refugees from Syria.” Deal quickly cancelled the order, though, after pushback from Attorney General Sam Olens, who stated, his “official opinion”—that states, like Georgia, who act as mere funnels of federal pass-through dollars did not have the right to refuse benefits to any federally approved refugee.

Despite this hiccup, the Georgia people continue, for the most part, to embrace the refugee population. So much so that many locals have moved to Clarkston specifically to come alongside the refugee community, who are given a mere 3-6 months to completely acclimate and stand on their own in a completely new environment.

Grassroots organizations such as The Lantern Project and Refuge Coffee have sprung up all over Clarkston to go beyond the governments “sink or swim method”, partnering alongside refugees to help them reach a necessary level of self-sufficiency. Organizations such as these provide skills training, teach English as a second language, connect families to resources, and cultivate community in spite of its residents’ vast diversity.

This partnership of agencies and organizations has made Georgia’s resettlement program “among the most successful and is seen as a model nationwide.” In a recent study, results revealed that “87% of refugee households in Georgia are working and paying their own expenses within six months of arrival—among the highest early self-sufficiency rates in the country.”

This is surely, in part, also due to another benefit attracting more than just refugees, to the Atlanta area—the ever-growing job market.  Atlanta was named “best city for job seekers in 2017”, based on scoring that took into account employee pay and cost of living.

“A lot of refugees are here because they can get a job,” Amplio recruiting specialist, Alaa Habeb explains, “Not all states have an abundance of jobs. In Colorado you can get a job—but not quickly like Atlanta. In San Diego it is really hard. Here, a lot of companies and agencies are hiring. The opportunity is really big.”

The job opportunity is particularly big in Georgia’s construction, manufacturing and logistics industries, where shortage is great due to several socioeconomic changes over the past decade. These jobs, which many Americans won’t take, are a great starting point for these newly arrived refugees looking to enter the workforce.

In 2014, Amplio Founder and CEO, Chris Chancey, visited Clarkston to learn more about refugee resettlement. It was at this time he recognized how he could use business as a tool to bridge the gap between Atlanta’s abundance of job and growing refugee community.  He created Amplio, a labor staffing agency sourcing the best talent, 100% from among the refugee workforce.

In 2015, Amplio placed over 200 refugees in companies around Atlanta, and has continued to grow since. Now, these refugees are adding value all across the city, in workplaces ranging from small businesses all the way up to Coca-Cola and Atlanta Braves’ Suntrust Park. They, and many others, are quickly catching onto the vast benefits of hiring refugees, including increased dependability, morale, and work ethic.

Join with these companies and more in allowing Amplio to be your labor shortage solution. We go above and beyond to provide the most talented and fluent refugees to fill your job openings.

To learn more about our services, contact us today or visit www.ampliorecruiting.com.

Together we can continue to keep Georgia a welcoming community to the displaced.

 

Team Member Highlight: Alaa Habeb, Recruiting Specialist

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Alaa Habeb, is a refugee using her impressive background in HR to help other, newly arrived, refugees get back on their feet.

Alaa (pronounced A-lah) grew up in the populous shore city of Basra, in southern Iraq, during the heat of the Persian and Iraq wars. Her parents were well-to-do, valuing education and achievement for their seven children, of which Alaa was the sixth.

After finishing school, Alaa immediately went on to attend college, studying computer science. “I was happy with college,” she shares, “That certificate meant a lot… I was educated.”  She soon put her education to work, taking a job as an administrator at a communications company.

But Alaa’s knowledge and experience weren’t the only things growing during this time. Tensions in Iraq mounted, as war scandals were uncovered. Violence erupted after Saddam Hussein was sentenced by his own government, and hanged for his crimes against humanity.

“My family was scared because after the war, after the President died, the country became so dangerous,” remembers Alaa. “[but] our father liked our home because he built it when he married my mom. He couldn’t leave it.”

Because of the close-knit area, thieves were well aware of rich families, recognized by their houses, cars, and dress. One day, thieves stormed their house, stealing all of their gold, money, and valuables.

“They tried to call my father, and my sister,” says Alaa, a hint of fear still detectable as she remembers her family’s tragedy, “After that [my father] said, ‘No, we cannot stay anymore.’ We agreed, but it wasn’t easy.”

The family applied for refuge in the United States, a process sometimes taking up to two years. In the meantime, they resettled in the safer, more stable northern region of Iraq, where Alaa continued working earnestly in communications.

In 2012, the family was granted approval to enter the U.S., and resettled in Colorado, where Alaa enrolled at the Community College of Denver to pursue education in HR management. After a couple years of hard work, Alaa earned her associates degree, but felt her heart tugging her toward another dream—marriage.

Alaa had left a piece of her heart back in Iraq, her long-time boyfriend, Hadeer. She returned to Iraq to marry, but gained a whole lot more than a spouse. Alaa’s newfound HR knowledge earned her not just one, but two back-to-back prestigious positions: first, as Senior HR coordinator at American oil company, Baker Hughes; then Executive Assistant to the president of Kuwait Energy, where she was promoted to HR Supervisor.

It wasn’t long before Alaa became pregnant. She returned to Colorado, this time along with Hadeer, to be near family and give birth to the joy of their life, a baby girl.

“But Colorado was too cold for my baby,” Alaa laughs, “We moved to Georgia in March [of this year]. Not all the states have an abundance of jobs. In Colorado you can get a job, but not quickly like Atlanta.”

Eager to get back to work, Alaa and her husband sought advice from family friends, who gave them several recommendations. “I went to an organization about a job. They said, ‘You have a good resume and great experience,’ but they only had simple work.” Discouraged, she went on to another local organization, then another, and another, as she struggled to find work that would utilize her background in communications and HR.

Eventually, Alaa was introduced to Amplio, where Luke and the Atlanta team immediately interviewed her to learn more about her education and experience. But while she was in process, a friend called about another prospective job opportunity. Eager for work, Alaa interviewed and was hired on as office operations manager, a well-paying career that utilized her skill-set.

But Alaa quickly found out that her “dream-come-true” was too good to be true. The job required travel three or more times monthly, a problematic requirement as the mom of a newborn.

“I called Luke [at Amplio] back to see about getting a new job. He said, ‘Could you come tomorrow to our office?’” Alaa agreed, “I thought I was interviewing for another job—[it turns out] I was interviewing for a position at Amplio!”

Her HR skills were just what the company needed. Amplio made an offer, and Alaa joined the team as Recruiting Specialist, in September.

Now, her days are spent meeting with refugees and helping them fill out the company’s application. She notes their school and work experiences so when companies reach out to Amplio with positions, she can match applicants to them. “I know which ones will be fit for the jobs, and set up interviews with the companies.”

“Alaa is very professional. She is a quick learner, and remains calm under pressure—all things that are very important to [her] role,” says CEO, Chris Chancey.

Though she has only logged one month at Amplio, Alaa exudes passion and gratification in her new position.

“One lady came in and she really, really needed a job. She was praying. [It just so happened that] she came in when we really, really needed a job filled for a specific company! We gave  her everything—all of the information and safety shoes for her to start the next day. She left praying, ‘Thank you, God!’”

“I like my work because it uses my 13 years of experience in HR. The staff here is amazing,” she continues, “I feel, here, like they are my family. Chris, Luke, all of them. I’ve worked with other staff before but didn’t feel [that way]. Here, even when I’m tired, I like to work!”

When asked what her favorite Amplio value is, she responds directly, “Consistency. We have to be consistent, because a lot of people’s lives are dependent [on it]. We have to help them. We have to be consistent with them to help them get jobs and help their families.”

Alaa is passionate about getting other refugees on a career track. “I feel happy and excited when I help them, because many come without money or experience. They don’t know anything here. When I help them, they thank me—‘Thank you so much, thank you so much.’”

She hopes that more companies and individuals will begin to see what she sees when she looks at the refugee community, “We need to help them,” she exhorts, When I came I had a family [where] I didn’t have to worry about money. But I see people who really need help. We have to help them get jobs.”

It’s hard to imagine the war, devastation and persecution that millions face, in other parts of the world. America was established as, and continues to be, a great land of opportunity, where individuals and families can live in peace, and build prosperity. Refugee families, like Alaa’s, come not to drain the economy, but to add to it. They desire safety, yes, but also to work and provide for their families, and achieve the “American dream”.

At Amplio, Alaa and the team are committed to connecting refugees with job opportunities that will help get them up on their feet. Likewise, we are committed to connecting businesses with this talented and motivated refugee workforce, who will increase company morale and productivity.

Is there a place for the refugee workforce at your company? We would love to provide you with more information about our services. Contact us today or visit our website at www.ampliorecruting.com to learn more.

The U.S. Drug Problem and the Solution Many Companies are Turning To

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In West Virginia, deaths from overdose rise to the highest in the U.S.

In Maryland, Governor Larry Hogan declares a state of emergency after 1,468 citizens die in just 9 months from heroin use. Local hospitals call in volunteer “cuddlers”, as babies, born addicted, tremble and cry.

In Colorado, one oil and trucking company scrambles to replace 80% of their employees after federally mandated drug tests return positive.

 

The U.S. drug epidemic is undeniable. Marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine use continue to rise, as overdoses surpass even car accidents to become the leading cause of death of Americans under 50. Quest Diagnosis, an innovative developer of testing products, released reports indicating the number of American workers using illegal substances is at its highest level in 12 years.

Included in these results, are opioids— including prescription painkillers and heroin, which have become the leading cause of overdose deaths. President Trump and congress have named opioid addiction one of the biggest challenges facing our country.

Analysts blame several factors, including “drastic increases in the number of prescriptions written and dispensed, greater social acceptability for using medications for different purposes, and aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical companies.”  These painkillers often serve as a gateway into the cheaper, but similarly structured drug, heroin, which reached 20-year high in 2016

The legalization of marijuana for recreational use has also contributed to our nation’s drug crisis. So far 8 states, plus the District of Columbia, have passed laws to legalize, and in two of these, Colorado and Washington, marijuana use has risen to double the national average.

As if these challenges weren’t enough, highly habit-forming methamphetamines are back with a vengeance and wreaking widespread havoc, after a short-lived hiatus.  Methamphetamines, like painkillers, often lead to heroin use as addicts attempt to “take the edge off their highs.”

 

This growing usage comes at a steep cost to the U.S. economy. With more than half of U.S companies requiring pre-employment and/or regular testing, myriads are failing, leading to company losses and labor shortages. These shortages are particularly pronounced in “safety sensitive” workplaces, including manufacturing and construction.

Construction, perhaps, has taken the hardest hit. Rober Dietz, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders blames the opioid epidemic for worsening the industry’s labor shortage that began after the 2007 housing market crash. Dietz says, “The impact of increasing numbers of Americans addicted to painkillers and other drugs has resulted in lower labor force participation, particularly among Americans who have less than a four-year college degree. This makes recruiting more workers into the trades that much harder.”

Painkillers are widely used by construction workers, due to the nature of their backbreaking work. Many start on hydrocodone for an injury, and simply can’t wean off. Some turn to heroin as a cheaper alternative. “Does it impact the safety and productivity and operations of the job? Oh my gosh, the lack of coordination, the judgment. It’s just like having somebody drunk on the job. It’s a huge risk for employers,” says Karen Pierce, employee at Working Partners Systems.

The risks of users on the job are significant, and extend beyond the obvious—lives. One Florida construction company, totaling about 150 laborers, estimated they lose $57,386 annually due to employee’s substance abuse which causes rapid turnover, wasted time, stolen goods and high health care costs.

 

So where can companies turn to for workers? Many are finding answer in the growing refugee community.

Cary Quigley, president of Sterling Technologies, in Erie, Pennsylvania, made CNN headlines this past spring with his innovative approach to hiring amidst the area’s growing heroin epidemic. Cary, and other companies are quickly catching on to a largely untapped labor pool—the refugee workforce.

“[We] need to seek out employees somewhere. And for now, immigrants are a really good source of that labor,” said Shannon Monat, a rural sociology professor at Penn State.

A very good source, indeed. Refugees are not only eager to enter the workplace, but studies show that immigrants have lower rates of substance use than U.S. born citizens. In fact, “U.S. born persons were 3-5 times more likely to experience lifetime substance abuse or dependence than first-generation immigrants.

Every refugee faces the stress of finding housing, food, and employment. For many, this weight is on top of the unimaginable terrors they faced before, and while, leaving their native country.

While even less severe situations cause many to stumble into the unrelenting world of drug and alcohol abuse, experts found that the majority of refugees simply aren’t willing to take the risk. After working hard to re-build, fear of losing their home, job, and privileges, and the need to provide for their family keeps these new arrivals on the straight and narrow.

Our experience at Amplio backs these statistics. Since our establishment in 2015, 100% of applicants who have come through our doors have passed our required drug test.

 

Sterling Technologies is not the only company jumping on the quickly accelerating refugee hiring train. Hundreds of companies across America are adding refugees to their payrolls and reaping the vast benefits of increased morale, productivity and dependability that result from a drug-free and motivated workforce.

Some hire from need, as Americans fall prey to substance abuse. Others hire out of social responsibility, or to make a political statement. Regardless of reason, companies like Chobani, comprised of over 30% refugee employees, are leading the way in proving the utility and fortitude of the refugee workforce.

What about you, your business—where will you fall on this issue? Could the refugee workforce add stability, productivity, and morale to your culture? Would you join with other innovative companies like Starbucks, Walmart, and Chobani to make an investment in the refugee community?

If the answer is yes, we would love to partner with you to find the right fit for your company. At Amplio, we are committed to providing you with a legal, drug-free, and motivated workforce, powered by refugees.

Contact us today to learn more about our diligent screening and staffing services, or visit our website at www.ampliorecruiting.com.

 

 

 

 

Location Feature: Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

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Despite recent contention regarding resettlement, Texas continues to be home to a growing and vibrant refugee community.  In 2016, Texas received 7,803 refugees, the second-most of any state, falling just behind California. The Dallas-Fort Worth area was responsible for settling more than 4,000 of these—the highest of any city in the U.S.

In Dallas, nearly 1 out of every 4 inhabitants were born outside of the United States. One factor could be that Texas actually lives up to its reputation of being “The Friendly State”. Former Amplio Dallas recruiter, Abby Davis, explains, “There is a great openness to refugees, and learning about them. I may be biased, but this is the friendliest place you could ever live. There’s a spirit of helpfulness.”

That spirit lives on even, at times, against political opinion. In September of last year, Governor Greg Abbott announced that he would be pulling the great state out of the Federal Refugee Resettlement Program, citing security concerns toward Syrian refugees fleeing the country’s civil war.

“America is a charitable nation,” Abbott declared, “But we cannot allow charity for some to compromise security for all.” Protests broke out, as nation-wide headlines took sides on the matter. Texas received more than 800 Syrians in 2016, who now faced an unsure future.

Fortunately, withdrawal from the program did not put an end to Texas resettlement. Instead, nonprofits formerly took over, continuing to funnel government funds and personal donations down to the displaced. Catholic Charities of Fort Worth was assigned services in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas. The organization is responsible for helping refugees find housing, register for school and apply for jobs and other services during their first 3-5 months after arriving.

Faith-based groups have also played a significant role in the success of integrating refugees into the Dallas community. Gateway of Grace is one of these, leading the way in connecting local churches to the refugee community to bring help and hope.

Other ingredients turning Dallas into “the melting pot of America”, are the affordable housing and a flourishing economy.  Dallas was declared Forbes’  2017 best city for jobs, having experienced “rapid” job growth since 2011.

This rapid growth has led to big problems for the construction industry, which is experiencing a “significant” shortage of skilled labor. Estimates show that somewhere between 10-20,000 jobs remain vacant. Dallas Builders Association executive director Phil Crone is quoted as saying, “I think it’s going to take a long time before [the worker shortage situation] gets better around here.”

“There are cranes everywhere,” Abby says. “Our economy is really incredible. There’s a spirit of entrepreneurship in our city. So many people are open to new ways of doing business; new ways of thinking about efficiency and productivity.”

Despite this receptiveness, Amplio is the only Dallas staffing company connecting the talented and dependable refugee workforce to these unfilled jobs.

The table is set for a mutually profitable relationship between the growing refugee community and Dallas businesses. Local Amplio Managing Director, Richard Brindley’s background in international partnerships and the Dallas Fort-Worth community mean you can rest assured he’ll find the right fit for your workforce needs every time.

To learn more about whether or not the refugee workforce could be the right fit for your company, contact us today.

Let’s join together for a bright and prosperous future for Dallas-Fort Worth.

Team Member Highlight: Abby Davis, Refugee Advocate

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Even as a child, Abby Davis knew that working with people of different cultures was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.

A native of Dallas and the youngest of three children, Abby laughingly refers to herself as the “surprise baby”. When her dad passed away at age 8, her mother re-married a widower with two small girls.

“We basically became the Brady Bunch,” Abby jokes, “There were tons of people always around. I loved it.”

From her earliest recollections, Abby remembers her quirky fascination with other cultures. She spent much of her time with close family friends, an Iranian family, learning to cook Persian food.

“I used to tell my mom I think I’m supposed to be from somewhere else—I’m not really American,” she says, giggling. “I wanted an international wedding. I wanted to work for the state department. I wanted to be an Ambassador… I wanted the most international life I could live!”

 

Growing up in Dallas fueled her love for Spanish and Latin culture. She spent her high school years playing sports, going on mission trips, and meeting with her Professora (Spanish teacher) outside of school hours to soak up this second language.

After graduating, Abby attended the University of Texas where she studied international relations and global studies—also majoring in Spanish, of course. But she didn’t wait to graduate before getting using her passion and education. In her “free time” she hosted cultural events and “happy hours” for newly settled immigrants, helping them find jobs and improve their English skills.

“I remember my friends being like, ‘What is Abby doing??’. I was totally involved, totally by myself. It was the best thing ever.” Her dedication and hard work earned her an internship, hosting international delegates who were visiting the area.

After this, Abby landed in a seemingly random career, having nothing to do with her passion for culture—she became a recruiter.

“This time grew my skill-sets… I loved really getting to know people and figuring out what their strengths and passions and dreams were, and finding them a good fit. [But] it felt like something was missing.”

After three years recruiting, Abby began a new adventure—marriage . This provided her the flexibility to slow down and return to the dreams she felt like God had placed within her. During this time she became involved in Gateway of Grace, one of Dallas’ numerous refugee outreaches, where her friend, Samira paired her with a refugee family—a single mother with five children who had fled from the atrocious wars in Iraq.

“I met her the next day, and the rest is history,” Abby shares, “Azraa and I immediately became sisters. She is close to my age. Her husband is in a mental institution in Switzerland due to war trauma, and she’s all by herself with five of the most incredible, smart, lovely kids you’ve ever met.”

Abby and her husband, Ben, helped Azraa with everything—taking her children to get their shots, moving the family into section 8 housing, teaching her to drive, and even securing a job.

Recently, Abby threw a big backyard bash to celebrate Azraa’s 31st birthday. “More people showed up who didn’t know her than who did… they even had gifts!” she exclaims, adding that this kind of warm friendliness and support are the norm in the area.

About this time, Abby began talking to a friend who owned a non-profit jewelry business. The company employed lower socioeconomic class women in west Dallas. Abby proposed the idea of expanding into the refugee community, giving them a way to provide for their families through making necklaces and other jewelry. Though the partnership never came to fruition, it sparked something even bigger within Abby.

“I began to realize—I have a recruiting background, and all of these refugees need jobs… surely there’s a way for these two things to be married!” she recalls. “I was on a walk with a friend one day [about this time], and telling her my idea of a recruiting firm for refugees. She stopped me almost immediately and said, ‘My friend is doing this in Atlanta, and wants to expand to Dallas!’”

Abby was connected to Chris Chancey, CEO of Amplio Recruiting, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The two immediately began plans to start connecting the abundant and hard-working Dallas refugee workforce with companies needing help.

While Abby has been with Amplio for just under a month, she is not deterred by her newness. She spends her days busy keeping up with refugee partners, including non-profits like Gateway of Grace and For the Nations, who connect her to refugees in need.

“They’re there, on the ground. They know who needs what kind of job, and they filter those through me,” she explains.

Another huge task is networking with companies in industries refugees can be successful in, such as manufacturing and hospitality. “I reach out and learn more about their business, and learn how we can best meet their needs,” she says.

Her collective experience, over the years, has made her resolute in her goal of connecting talented refugees with skill-sets to jobs that will utilize their fullest potential. She reiterates by sharing about a couple from Iran she met recently, who were job searching who told her, “It’s common that we would start in a bad job.” The couple’s response pained her. “Refugees are so humble to be okay with working [anywhere], but I think they could have so much more if their skills were fully utilized and they were challenged at their job,” she reiterates.

 

Dallas may be new ground for Amplio, but it is fertile for a beautiful partnership between refugees and businesses.

“Our economy is really incredible. There’s a spirit of entrepreneurship in the city. So many people are open to new ways of doing business. This is the friendliest place you could ever live, jam-packed with the most warm-spirited people who want to help,” Abby expresses.

She and the Amplio team are excited for the new branch, and how it will further the economy of the already advancing Dallas area.

 

Are you a part of an organization already working with refugees, in Dallas? We would love to partner with you to build relationships within the community.

Do you, or someone you know, own a company that could benefit from the talented and dependable refugee workforce? We would love to connect to share more about our services.

Visit our website or contact us today to learn more. Together, we can bring opportunity and hope to the thousands of refugees who call Dallas “home”.

 

Dependable Profiles: Imran Haider

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Imran Haider, a native of Afghanistan, has a wife, three kids, and an alluring accent.

Like many refugees, Imran was serving as an aid to U.S. Special Forces when he became the target of death threats.

“I was working with the Americans, and many people there don’t like Americans,” he shares bluntly. Left with the choice of living under continual threat or leaving the only life they knew, Imran and his wife applied for special immigrant visas to the U.S.

The family landed on January 11th of this year, thrown into a new culture, heavy with turmoil surrounding Trump’s inauguration, and the policy changes that would come with, scheduled for the following week.

“My heart was heavy when I was coming here,” Imran remembers, “[but] I did what I had to do to protect my family.”

The displaced five took up residence in Clarkston, Georgia, named “the Ellis Island of the South”, with refugees making up an estimated 50% of its population. Refugees like Imran are granted 60-90 days assistance from a resettlement organization, and time was ticking. After securing resources and affordable housing, Imran quickly turned his focus towards finding employment, a crucial hurdle in every refugee’s journey.

His friend, Reva, told him about a local staffing agency who worked exclusively with refugees, helping them secure steady and well-paying employment —Amplio.

“My experience with Amplio was very good. Chris is a very nice guy, and Luke and Sana,” he raves, adding that anytime he showed up the team never turned him away, but were always eager to serve him.

Within a week of his first visit to Amplio, Imran was placed with Accessories Unlimited, a local company that distributes specialty products in the commercial construction industry. Together, He and a small but impressive team install everything from bathroom accessories in hospitals, to lockers for local sports teams, and seemingly everything in between.

“I like my job. We travel everywhere. Every day we are in different places. We go very far sometimes [and] see different cities inside Georgia,” Haider shares, excitedly.

 

But Accessories Unlimited has given Imran far more than travel and valuable job experience—they’ve given him and his family a foundation, security, and hope for a better life.

“They have a car now,” Amplio CEO Chris Chancey shares, bragging on Imran’s accomplishments. “It’s been really cool to see how his English fluency has increased over the past three months since he started the job,” he adds, “The fact that he could carry on this interview] is a testament to how far he’s come.”

Imran’s proudest accomplishment? “I’m learning every day,” he states, “It’s good for me. It’s helping a lot.”

Imran is like many other refugees— educated, hard working, and grateful for the freedom to live without the constant threat of harm.

“We are human like everybody else,” Imran expresses, vehemently, “It doesn’t matter if we’re American, Asian, or African. We’re all human.”

All human. Refugees aren’t looking for a handout, they’re looking for basic human rights—the opportunity to live, love, and pursue happiness.

What doors of opportunity could your business unlock for a refugee to provide for their family, and pursue their potential?

We, at Amplio, are passionate about mutual partnership—your business and refugees thriving. Let us find a fit for your labor shortage needs. To learn more about the benefits of hiring refugees, visit our website at www.ampliorecruiting.com

 

 

 

 

 

Strategic Partnership: Refuge Coffee

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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, “Kitty (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 refuge community… where our new neighbors are embraced and given opportunities to thrive through the business of hospitality through coffee.”

 

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, Kitty and Jessica became acquainted with Chris Chancey, because of their similar work within Clarkston.

“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?’ Kitty 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.

“Every day is different… sometimes I’m helping organize events, being mindful and inclusive of the refugee community. Sometimes I’m [building] partnerships with other organizations.”

Ambitious and vision-driven, Jessica has helped facilitate dozens of events to benefit the community. Refuge has partnered with Samali 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 a 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 Chris and he gets it around to his people,” says Jessica.

Malek Almarash was recruited through Amplio in November 2016. Malek had interviewed for a trainee barista position and, aware of Malek’s boisterous persona and love for attention, Chris and Kitty devised a fun way to tell him he got the job.

“Q Commons [a leadership event] was coming up and Malek was attending with Amplio. [We] decided to hire him that morning and asked Chris, ‘What if we were to hire him on stage in front of everyone?’” Jessica remembers.

And that’s exactly what they did. Noticeably surprised and humbled, Malek accepted with a hug and a handshake. “This was a really fun way to bring him into the community. He was really excited. It is a really special memory.”

Since then, Malek has grown leaps and bounds in his English and cultural skills. Through his training and experience, he’s become 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.

Refuge and Amplio’s strategic partnership has undoubtedly contributed to this self-sufficiency. “Job training shared with him the doors that would open through getting a GED. Malek will have his GED by January and will enroll in spring classes to get his associates degree at Georgia State. Seeing him dream, and knowing those dreams are a possibility, has been really awesome.”

 

Clarkston is a supreme example of what can happen when differing individuals and organizations work together for common good. The unemployment rate is low, and hopes are high as they take baby steps closer to seeing the vision of a thriving community become a reality.

“Refugees care about the same things we [Americans] care about. They fear the same things we fear. They love their families and put them first the same way we do,” Jessica shares, emotionally, “We can use the word ‘refugee’, but that’s not who they are. We have different languages and cultures, but we all desire to be loved and love others.”

Join with Refuge Coffee, Amplio, and others to love and support our new neighbors, who deserve more than just to survive. Amplio would love to partner with you to realize your dreams for your company through the talented and dependable refugee workforce.

Visit our website or contact us today to learn more about our services and strategic partnerships.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Member Highlight: Luke Keller

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Luke Keller has spent the last decade learning and leveraging business to make an impact in the world.

Raised just outside of Atlanta, in Lilburn, near well-know Stone Mountain Park, his family shaped his early views of the world. His dad, a doctor, took Luke on multiple mission trips as a child, giving him exposure to a range of cultures. This early influence planted within him an insatiable desire to help those in the margins of society.

After graduating high school, Luke attended Samford University, in Alabama, and played football for the Bulldogs. It was during this time that Luke began to take business classes and first learned about the idea of “social entrepreneurship”– starting companies aimed at creating solutions to social and environmental issues.

When a back injury during his junior year put him on the bench, Luke re-focused his energy on using his newfound business knowledge to start a pressure-washing and staining company. His passion and quick wit quickly earned him several contracts including Samford U, and other high-end homes in the area.

As the business grew, Luke began to incorporate this idea of social entrepreneurship into his company. Strong in Spanish, he intentionally hired many hard-working individuals from Mexico and Peru, granting them the opportunity to earn income and care for their families. Despite his great success, Luke sold the business to explore new opportunities.

Luke married the love of his life, Mallory, and the couple moved to Texas where he was offered a position to work with an EPC contractor and structural engineering company. He developed a close relationship with the company owner and shared this idea of social entrepreneurship. Together, they worked together to develop a leadership development program and a company foundation that could fund global missions projects such as natural disaster clean up, and installing water filtration systems in third world countries.

The initiatives were an incredible success. But Luke, now ready to settle down, felt a strong pull back to Atlanta— back to his family. He began brainstorming a long-term project that would carry long-term benefits within the community. Luke was familiar with Clarkston, “the Ellis Island of the South”, just a few miles from where he grew up. He recognized the vast need for skilled labor that seemed to be missing completely from the job market, but also the shocking unemployment rates among the refugee community.  He immediately began developing a program that would close the gap between the two needs. He moved back to Atlanta and founded a trades training and mentorship program called “The Lantern Project”, in 2014.

Around this time Luke was connected to Chris Chancey, through their shared interests and connections within the Clarkston community. Chris had just gotten the ball rolling on a new business idea—Amplio Recruiting, a staffing agency connecting companies with the dependable “Refugee Workforce.” After a rough start, business began to slowly pick up and became too much for Chris alone so he approached Luke and the two began figuring out a partnership. In January 2017 Luke left The Lantern Project (now called Tekton Training) in capable hands, and joined the Amplio team.

Now, Luke serves as President of the thriving company. He laughs when asked what a “normal” day looks like for him, explaining, “Oh, there’s not really a normal. My job varies from working with clients to finding new recruits, getting them trained and equipped for a job, to driving up new business.”

If you ever get in a conversation with Luke, you’ll immediately sense the deep fulfillment he gains from his work. He rattles on, excitedly, as he shares about his most proud moment since starting with Amplio:

“I was pursuing a potential client for six months. We finally signed a contract with them and began staffing people. After a few months they told us they needed sixty individuals. I started pulling resources and placing people. One lady [that was placed] had lost her kids because she didn’t have a job. This position provided great money and a shift that was conducive to childcare. [Sometime later] she came into the office in tears, thanking us because her kids were able to come home.”

Luke loves most that his position is client-facing, giving him the opportunity to focus his passions on customer care that will lead to more jobs for their employees.

“Luke is a visionary and problem-solver,” CEO Chris Chancey shares, “He shows the same care and compassion for any of our employees as he does for the CEO of his largest client. His positive spirit keeps us moving in the right direction, even when we face hard problems and difficult challenges. But most of all, he has a grateful heart he brings to work every day. I often see him writing thank you notes to some of our partners and he consistently expresses his gratitude and appreciation for being able to serve the Refugee Community.”

Luke is just one of the incredible individuals that make up Amplio Recruiting, now located in four major U.S. cities including Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Raleigh-Durham. He and the team bring gratitude, excellence, consistency, and passion to the table each and every day as they strive to staff great companies with the Refugee Workforce.

We are committed to be your number one labor shortage solution by increasing your company’s efficiency while reducing turnover and expenses. Visit our website at www.ampliorecruiting.com to learn more about our services, and the benefits of hiring the Refugee Workforce.

Dependable Profiles: Banny Javed

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Imagine having the only life you ever knew ripped away from you, having to start over in a foreign land, surrounded by an unfamiliar language.

How would you feel? Where would you start?

Now imagine yourself, as a 12-year-old middle schooler, and put yourself in that same scenario. That’s where Banny Javed found himself in 2010.

 

Banny was born in the ethnically and geographically diverse country of Pakistan, cradled between Afghanistan and India. He is the second of four children in a close-knit family that includes his parents and uncle.

Devoted to the Christian faith, His dad was a pastor—a difficult profession in a country that is said to have been “created in the name of Islam.” But life was good, as Banny remembers it. The family remained devoted, despite frequent opposition.

One day, however, a single event changed the course of their lives forever.

Banny’s dad became involved in a publicly televised debate with Muslims, speaking out against their acts, and standing up for the rights of fellow Pakistanis. Banny recalls, “The Muslims didn’t appreciate him speaking out his mind about what was right and wrong.”

Death threats began. Fearing for his life, Banny’s dad applied for safe refuge in America, and was quickly approved. Soon after, the rest of the family followed to begin their new life together in New Jersey.

 

But this was no fairy tale. Confronted with a drastically different environment, and coupled with a language barrier, the family struggled to make ends meet. Banny, just a boyish pre-teen, struggled with the sudden and extreme transition.

“It was difficult. Everything changed—within a day’s time everything around me was totally different.”

The family grappled for normalcy in New Jersey, staying put for three years before trying their luck in Chicago. Eventually they landed in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

But despite the change in scenery, their financial situation remained the same: problematic. Banny’s parents were unequipped with education and unable to secure decent employment. Isolated, with no family nearby to help, they fought to keep food on the table.

 

Despite his struggles at home, Banny flourished at school. And the summer before his senior year, he began to search for a job that would allow him to help his family financially.

A fellow church member told Banny about a local staffing agency that had helped him find work at a local warehouse—Amplio. Chris and the team quickly helped Banny put in an application at Engent, a microelectronics developer and manufacturer located in Norcross.

“I got a call within a week or so. It was a good feeling, because [I knew this was a] good job,” Banny remembers.

He started as a 3rd shift warehouse worker, but didn’t remain in the position long. His strong work ethic and problem-solving skills earned him a promotion within the first year.

Now, as a Documentation Specialist, Banny gets to work side by side with engineers to produce new innovations and technologies. His clear, fluent English and natural curiosity are a great benefit as he works with clients to develop quality products to fit their needs. His team works on a broad span of projects from radar systems for the military, to the headlights on Teslas.

 

Banny graduated high school this past spring. Because of Engent, he is inspired and motivated to pursue a degree in engineering at Gwinnett Tech. In addition to his full-time work schedule, he is currently taking a 3-course load, totaling 10+ hours a week.

Despite these applaudable achievements, he says he is most satisfied by the fact that the Engent team is so proud of him. But not only proud of him, excited for him and his future in engineering. Many have come alongside, mentoring Banny and giving him a better perspective on the many opportunities available in the engineering field.

 

Life gave Banny some serious hurdles, but he, like many refugees, is an overcomer. Banny still lives at home with his family whom he is now able to help with the income he makes. He raves about his experience with Amplio, which helped shape who he is today, and shares about it with other refugees.

When asked what is the one thing he wants people to know about the refugee community, he replied, “There are a lot of hard workers, but not enough opportunity.”

 

For Banny, one door opened up a bright and optimistic future.

Could your business be the opportunity a refugee needs to provide for their family, learn new and valuable skills, or achieve a dream?

We at Amplio Recruiting would love to partner with you to be your labor shortage solution—staffing your company with the talented and dependable refugee workforce.

Visit our website at www.ampliorecruiting.com to learn more and join dozens of other companies benefitting from our staffing services.

Amplio: Our Beliefs About the U.S. Job Market

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You’ve heard the saying, “What’s in a name?”

The answer, we believe, is everything. 

That’s why, when CEO Chris Chancey founded Amplio, he deliberately chose a name that would encompass the company’s mission and beliefs.

 

On a visit to one of our offices, you are most likely to hear African and Asian immigrants speaking Farsi, Arabic, French, Hindi, Swahili, and other native languages. Amplio, however, is a Spanish adjective, meaning “broad, wide, spacious”—ample.

From the time of Amplio’s conception in 2014, and still today, we believe in the abundance of both dependable workers and good jobs within the United States.

 

Today, news and political agendas would lead us to conclude that there is a staggering lack of available jobs and opportunities in our country. But this simply isn’t true.

According to a recent article by NPR, there are millions of jobs currently left unfilled across the U.S., particularly in the construction and manufacturing industries. So how did we get here?

Our current-day “psychology of scarcity” can be traced back to the arduous years of the Great Depression, the economic downturn of the 1970s, and the housing collapse of 2007-2008. These temporary struggles proved challenging to our long-held beliefs about freedom, and the abundance of opportunities and resources to those who will pursue them. Our new mindset causes us to fear giving jobs to immigrants at our own perceived loss.

At the same time, companies struggle with a different, but equally challenging lack. With Millennials seeking more “meaningful” work experience and Baby Boomers retiring, companies are left to believe that hard-working and reliable laborers are now fantasy. They settle for shortages, unable to find highly-skilled, dependable workers who can keep their company moving in the right direction.

 

These perpetuated scarcity mindsets are not only misconceived, they’re detrimental. To lives, to businesses, and to the overall economy. Families remain on welfare; companies lose productivity; the economy suffers.

 

At Amplio, here is what we know to be true:

There are ample good jobs.

There are ample dependable workers.

Our unique mission– connecting the two.

 

We believe that when this happens, lives are better, companies are more efficient, and our economy is more stable.

Don’t let the lies of scarcity keep you from the vast benefits of hiring from within the refugee workforce. Let us use our unique vantage to supply you with dependable and efficient workers, who can take your company to the next level.

Visit www.ampliorecruiting.com to learn more about our labor shortage solutions today.