Who We Are
The Story
Global Neighborhood was founded in 2008 to provide long-term support to the roughly 500 refugees per year resettling in Spokane. In 2011, we opened Global Neighborhood Thrift, a thrift store using a social enterprise business model to provide services to refugees, including employment, employment training, access to education, and other support. Our retail storefront and Job Readiness Program began as training for just two refugees and have since expanded into a thriving community organization that has paid out over $1.3 million in wages to former refugees and provided job training to more than 170 people to date. Global Neighborhood provides a safe and welcoming space for refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants to learn how to navigate life in their new home.
Our Mission
At Global Neighborhood, we offer pathways to employment for our neighbors who have come to the Inland Northwest as refugees. Through our sustainable and accessible thrift & vintage store, we provide job training, education, income, and a community of support to help them rebuild refugee lives in the U.S. We believe in giving used goods new lives while helping people find their livelihoods.
Our mission is our purpose. It reminds us why we exist and what we are working toward every day. By providing meaningful education, training, and employment opportunities to refugees, we help build a stronger, more inclusive community where everyone has the chance to thrive.
Our Pillars
Our Employees
We exist for our employees. We aim to create a safe, inclusive, stable, and supportive work environment that eliminates barriers to employment and helps people advance.
Our Community
We are interconnected with those around us, and we cannot thrive unless our community does. We work for equality and justice for all members of our community.
Our Planet
We acknowledge that global climate change and refugee flight go hand in hand and cannot separate our employees' well-being from our planet's health. Therefore, we're working to lessen environmental harm and promote sustainability.
Our Values
Kind
Treats others with respect
Communicates directly and clearly
Displays generosity
Creative
Comes with solutions
Harnesses and magnifies strengths
Is inspired to advance our mission
Flexible
Practices humility
Is a team player
Keeps an open mind
Proactive
Takes on new challenges
Is always learning
Anticipates future problems and opportunities
Our Pricing Philosophy
We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where quality products are accessible to all, while also ensuring the sustainability of our business.
Our Team
Meet our team! And learn about their hometown and when they moved to Spokane.
STAFF
Khalil
Store Operations Assistant Manager
Me’mila, Afrin, Syria - 2016
Meagan
Production Assistant Manager
Helena, MT - 2015
Bietlehem
Job Readiness Program Supervisor
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - 2014
Svitlana
Home Goods Production Lead
Khartsyzsk, Ukraine - 2015
Habiba
Textile Production Lead
Khartoum, Sudan - 2018
PERCYLA
Production Hanger
Majuro, Marshall Island - 2000
Alex
Operations Assistant Manager
Mariupol, Ukraine - 2022
Aytan
Retail Thrift Associate
Me’mila, Afrin, Syria - 2016
Ramya
Cashier
Malabe, Colombo, Sri Lanka - 2021
Lucy
Assistant Accounting Manager
Clarksville, TN - 2017
Saed
Donation Processing Associate
El Fashir, Sudan - 2013
Addis
Thrift Store Stocking Specialist
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - 2017
Dan
Textile Grading Specialist
Hammond, LA - 2000
Ani
Retail Operations Assistant Manager
Tacoma, WA - 2017
Emmanuel
Store Operations Supervisor
Rwebisengo, Uganda - 2017
HASIBA
Vintage Retail Associate
Kabul, Afghanistan - 2022
RHEA
Book Supervisor
Spokane Born and Raised
Daniela
ESL Lead Teacher
Ipameri, Goiás, Brazil - 2022
TAIBA
Cashier
Kabul, Afghanistan - 2021
Mujtaba
Driver/ Warehouse Worker
Kabul, Afghanistan - 2021
Savanna
Marketing & Development Specialist
Boise, ID - 2020
Sayed
HR Generalist
Bamyan, Afghanistan - 2022
RADJABU
Warehouse Worker
Uvira, Congo - 2022
MANAGEMENT
Brent
Executive Director
Lynden, WA - 2002
Julie
General Manager
Spokane Born and Raised
Emily
People & Programs Manager
Preston, Missouri - 2019
Out of respect for our employees and program participants' privacy and their personal stories, we rarely share details of people's lives. If you see someone's story shared on our website or any communication, the person has explicitly stated they wanted to share. Thank you for respecting our shared humanity by not asking for more details.
BOARD
Betty Gilchrist | Board Chair | Audiologist, Providence
Brent Hendricks | Executive Director | Global Neighborhood
Andrey Muzychenko | Program Officer | Inatai Foundation
Derrick Oliver | HR Specialist | STCU
Anni Glogovac | Legal Counsel | Avista
Oscar Costero | Wikimedian in Residence | Equis Labs
Stephen Barbieri |Treasurer | Goodale & Barbieri