Unique Partnership Combines Community Service with Employment Solutions
Boise, Idaho (July 16, 2009) — Boise-based ABC Home Health has found an unexpected and innovative way to fill its staffing needs by partnering with global relief agency World Relief to employ international refugees displaced by war, ethnic, religious or political persecution.
According to World Relief–Boise’
Care provider ABC Home Health discovered a way to support World Relief’s mission while meeting its own business needs. The company employs and trains refugees to provide in-home care, then assigns their new employees to work with others from their native populations. “Our refugee employees can provide compassionate care that no one else could, because they speak the client’s language, share their culture, and often have had similar life experiences,”
Pearson promotes the benefits of hiring refugees. “They’re authorized to work when they step off the plane. We help with all their paperwork, so employers can be comfortable legally hiring for custodial, food service, assembly, and sometimes even clerical jobs,” she said. “One local food service company decided to try refugee employees, and watched their turnover rate drop from 200 percent to 30 percent. That speaks for itself.” Pearson notes that World Relief–Boise has placed 40 refugees in jobs since the start of the year, but has 120 still searching.
ABC owner Pete Amador praises the employees he finds through World Relief. “They’re dedicated, hard workers. They’re committed to their jobs and to providing for their families. Some are highly educated, but the language barrier or transference of credentials keeps them from working in their original field. We help them get real-world job experience in the U.S. to put on their resume. From here they can go on in the nursing field, or transfer skills to another field.”
World Relief–Boise also sees the benefits. “Our partnership with ABC has been great! It’s providing income for families and self-sufficiency,”
About World Relief
World Relief is a global relief agency that works through local churches to transform the most vulnerable people economically, socially and spiritually. Part of their mandate involves helping refugees from war-torn countries like Nepal, Burma and Iraq get a new start in America by coordinating immigration paperwork and assisting with housing, job placement and other necessities. For more information about hiring refugees or other World Relief services, contact Mandi Pearson at 208-323-4964 or visit boise.wr.org.
About ABC Home Health
A Better Care (ABC) Home Health provides personalized care services to individuals of all ages, physical conditions, and cognitive abilities. Whether it’s for respite care, homemaker services, hospital sitters, or long-term in-home care, ABC’s professionals and supervisory staff are well-trained and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. For more information, visit www.safeinhomecare.com.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Pete Amador
ABC Home Health
208-888-6232
admin@safeinhomehealthcare.com
Mandi Pearson
World Relief–Boise
208-323-4964
mpearson@wr.org
