Global Neighborhood

Dear fans and supporters of Global Neighborhood, For the past 17 years, Brent Hendricks, the founder and Executive Director of Global Neighborhood, has dedicated himself with extraordinary vision, tireless effort, and unwavering commitment to Spokane’s refugee community. His leadership has been instrumental in building an organization that has empowered countless refugees to find stability, secure meaningful employment, and create new lives in their new home. Through years of persistence, innovation, and thoughtful refinement, Brent has shaped Global Neighborhood into something truly remarkable. His efforts have not only transformed lives but also laid the foundation for an enduring legacy. Now, after nearly two decades of service, Brent has made the decision to step away from the organization he built and will conclude his tenure as Executive Director on March 30th. We are profoundly grateful for his leadership, his creativity, and his determination. His work has forever impacted the lives of countless refugee families in Spokane, and his legacy will remain a guiding light for Global Neighborhood. While we will deeply miss Brent’s leadership, our commitment to our mission remains as strong as ever. The future of Global Neighborhood is bright. We will continue to build on the foundation Brent established, with our continually evolving Ascend job readiness program, a robust and accessible English as a Second Language program, and our sustainable thrift and vintage store. This is an exciting new chapter for Global Neighborhood, and we are committed to keeping you informed as we move forward. The Board has partnered with Carolyn Ho Consulting to support the search for a new Executive Director. An announcement regarding the search will be shared in the coming weeks. Together, we will honor Brent’s legacy by continuing the work that has already changed so many lives and by exploring new ways to serve our community even more effectively. Thank you for your ongoing support during this time of transition.

Global Neighborhood is more than a thrift and vintage store. It’s a launchpad for new beginnings! From English classes to job training, we help refugees in Spokane build brighter futures. Our 2024 Impact Report is here! Click here to hear stories from our program participants and learn what the amazing people in our programs accomplished last year: https://lnkd.in/g42ha_WZ

Meet Radjabu! Radjabu won our staff-voted Employee of the Year award for 2024! Originally from Congo, he arrived in Spokane in 2022, and our community is all the better for it. Radjabu spends most of his time at GNT&V in the warehouse, skillfully baling clothes for recycling—a task that requires both strength and dedication. His resilience is matched only by his bright spirit, bringing warmth and positivity to everyone around him. We’re so grateful to have him as part of the Global Neighborhood family!

In light of recent changes to refugee and immigration policies in the US, it’s so important to lean into community to ensure our refugee friends and neighbors can continue to feel supported and welcomed in their new home. Here’s what you can do to help: -Volunteer your time and skills at refugee-serving organizations. -Donate money to refugee-serving organizations. -Learn your rights and be prepared when interacting with law enforcement, including immigration agents. Carry a Know Your Rights card, available here: https://lnkd.in/gzdhYJFX -Offer to hold important documents for your refugee friends. -Shop at and donate goods to Global Neighborhood Thrift and Vintage. Overall, it’s so important to try to remain positive amid the uncertainty and work make a difference where you can- in your community! #globalcommunityengagementday #immigrantswelcome #refugeeswelcome.

In 2024, the United States welcomed 100,034 refugees, marking the first time in decades that our nation has opened its doors to more than 100,000 individuals seeking safety and a new start. This milestone reflects the values of compassion and opportunity that define our country. However, as we enter a new presidential term, the landscape for immigrants and refugees is poised to shift dramatically. President-elect Trump has announced plans for the largest deportation operation in US history, signaling a stark change in policies that could undermine the support systems for vulnerable populations. Now, more than ever, it is so important to show our commitment to refugees and immigrants. These individuals come to the US seeking safety and a chance to rebuild their lives. At Global Neighborhood, we understand that the foundation for a fresh start begins with securing a stable job. A job provides a roof over a head. A job ensures food on the table. A job fosters a sense of community and hope for the future. Global Neighborhood is proud to offer job training, free English classes, and a system of support to refugees in Spokane. Through our thrift store, we create employment opportunities, equip individuals with valuable skills, and foster economic pathways that transform lives. As the political climate grows uncertain, your support is more critical than ever. Together, we can show that compassion and community prevail over fear. By donating to Global Neighborhood, you help refugees find stability, dignity, and a chance to succeed in their new home. Let’s stand together to ensure Spokane continues to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for all. You can support local refugees by giving to Global Neighborhood here: https://lnkd.in/guiSRwWi #trumpinauguration #2025inauguration #refugeeswelcome #immigrantswelcome

Let's play a game! Can you correct the nouns’ spelling and capitalize the proper nouns? ✏️ Our English students had fun with this activity yesterday in ESL class! Global Neighborhood offers free English classes for any refugee in the Spokane area. Do you know someone who could benefit from English classes? Share this post with them or reach out to ESL@global-neighborhood.org for more information. #english #englishclass #esl #englishasasecondlanguage

Meet Maryna! Maryna is a fantastic employee. Originally from Ukraine, she has worked in our retail space for over a year and is known for her kindness, attentiveness, and easy flexibility. Her awareness of the store’s needs allows her to move throughout her day with a ton of efficiency and brightness! A beautiful thing about Maryna is her ability to adapt to any situation with ease; between stocking and recycling product on the floor, re-arranging product for better merchandising or training as a cashier, she does so with a positive attitude. Her thoughtful and versatile nature makes her a really important member of our community!

What an incredible year it has been at Global Neighborhood! Here's your 2024 GN Wrapped. This year, we paid $820,396.53 in wages and benefits to our refugee employees- and $30,152.85 of that went to participants in our Ascend job readiness program! Ascend welcomed 16 participants, 80% of whom were women, with representation from Afghanistan, Russia, Congo, Ukraine, Bangladesh, and Burma. Our ESL students made incredible strides, achieving 56 English level gains. We also celebrated a huge milestone: the first three graduates of our ESL program! Finally, we were thrilled to add the flags of Bangladesh and Russia to our store, bringing the total number of home nations represented by GN employees and program participants to 39! You can help us continue to support refugee job training, English classes, and careers in 2025 by donating today here: https://lnkd.in/guiSRwWi. And don’t forget to keep an eye out in 2025 for our impact report for full info!

Meet Daniela, Global Neighborhood’s lead ESL teacher! Daniela is a truly spectacular and inspiring teacher. Originally from Brazil, Daniela moved to Spokane in 2022 to pursue a master’s degree in Second Language Acquisition from Gonzaga. She has been part of our ESL program since its inception and has helped dozens of English students make language level gains. Daniela is an incredibly positive, funny, and kind person. We are so lucky to have her on our team!

Sustainability: it's in our nature! This year, for our holiday celebration, #TeamRogueHeart went on an adventure to Global Neighborhood Thrift, using a gift card we'd won at a silent auction at Manzanita House's Garden Party event last summer. The treasures within were numerous, from the vintage to the modern, cozy to the bedazzled - there is something for everyone at this Spokane gem. 🎁 Not only is this a truly outstanding secondhand shop, Global Neighborhood provides employment to refugees, as well as FREE English classes for refugees in our community. So far, they've employed folks from more than 30 countries! 🎉 A wonderful, festive time was had by all, and we left with some fun, new-to-us looks while lightening our impact on the planet. 🧡🌎