August News
August ended with another bicycle give-away thanks to our partnership with Pedal Power Project. The photo above shows two Kentucky Refugee Ministries clients who rode away with donated and refurbished bicycles. Getting a bicycle can provide the extra push for refugees who need transportation help to get to work on public transit. Thank you to all who donated and restored these vital two wheelers through the Pedal Power Project.  Read on for highlights about employment for newly-arrived refugees, our Global Gourmet fundraiser on Sept. 25, and more.
CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Mohamad Alkenss arrived alone to Louisville in May 2015, a couple months after his
21st birthday a
nd alm ost three years after registering with the United Nations as a refugee. In 2012, he and his family fled Syria for Jordan. Old enough to be on his own "case", he was scheduled to fly alone to the U.S. His family, including his m other, father, sister, and two brothers, stayed in   Jordan to await their travel plans.

While he was in Jordan,  he finished high school, began interior design studies,
Mohamad Alkenss demonstrates his work as an assembly line associate.
and worked in sales. Soon after landing in Louisville, Mohamad started looking for work because he said he wanted to help support his family when they arrived. Once he obtained his employment documentation, he regularly met with job developers to create a resume and practic e interviewing. When he heard from KRM's employment team about an opening for an assembly line associate, he was eager to apply. The company had never before hired refugees through KRM, yet they were interested in meeting Mohamad because of his background and experience using AutoCAD  (computer-aided design) software.

Less than two months after arriving to Louisville, Mohamad passed all of the company's pre-employment assessments, earned an interview, and started his new job at Integrated Manufacturing and Assembly (IMA), assembling automotive seats and seat structures for Corvette and Mercedes vehicles. The following week, Mohamad reunited with his family when they arrived to Louisville, and now they are all living under one roof again.

Nate Wynn (supervisor) and KRM client Mohamad Alkenss at work at Integrated Manufacturing and Assembly (IMA). 
Mohamad has be en working full-time for almost two months now. IMA has agreed to pay for a portion of  his education and now also welcomes referrals for other refugee applicants. On behalf of M oh amad an d his family, Kentucky Refuge e Ministries thanks IMA, including Brent Roth and Stacey Walker, for an employment partnership that supports refugees who are seeking  self-suffic iency in a new home.

Refugee Employment: Fast Facts
  • Refugees are legally admitted and eligible to work in the United States.
  • From January 2015 to present, KRM clients have obtained over 450 jobs.
  • The 90-day retention rate is 80%.
  • The average wage is $9.50 per hour.
  • The average yearly job placements from 2010-2014 is 612 jobs per year.
If you or your business would like to discuss hiring refugees, contact KRM Employment by calling  (502) 479-9180 ext. 519.
16th ANNUAL GLOBAL GOURMET FUNDRAISER
Join our 25th anniversary celebration! Global Gourmet on Friday, September 25 is less than one month away. Get your tickets today.
The night will include a silent auction as well as art and hand-crafted work from local refugees; music by Muhamed Braco Skopljak, Zim Marim, Legna y Yoisel, Appalatin, and Danny Flanigan & Friends; drinks from Brown-Forman; food from Wiltshire Pantry and local ethnic restaurants. The event will be held at Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center from 6:30 pm - 11:30 pm. 
Individual tickets are $70 each and Table Sponsorships are $600.
GET INVOLVED: EVENTS

Wednesday, September 2
Volunteer Orientation
Set up an apartment before a new family arrives, tutor a student studying English, help someone prepare for a job interview, and more. Volunteer orientations are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. 
Learn More

Thursday, September 17
Lunch & Learn
Ever wondered what the process is like for refugees to arrive to the U.S.? Curious about the various refugee populations? Visit KRM to hear from staff and refugee clients. Monthly Lunch and Learn dates are listed on our site.
Thursday, October 1 
Give Local Louisville
Support refugees in Kentucky by joining us for Louisville's second annual online day of giving, hosted by the Community Foundation of Louisville. How does it work?
1. On October 1, donate to KRM online at www.givelocallouisville.org
2. KRM then becomes eligible to receive additional funds through the Community Foundation of Louisville, increasing your impact on KRM's services and refugees.  Learn More
3. Spread the word. Every dollar counts!