supportive workplace
we utilize existing skills and develop new ones paying generous wages and benefits
$50,000+ average salary
refugees deserve compensation that honors their contributions plus opportunities to grow
$19 minimum wage
minimum wage is not a living wage which is why ours is 2.6x the federal minimum wage of $7.25
25+ days paid off
paid vacation, paid holidays, paid parental leave and paid bereavement leave
health + dental insurance
company sponsored health plans to take care of medical, dental and vision care
matching 401k
working hard and saving smart thanks to company matching contributions
$2,265,878 for refugees
Even the most generous of companies typically only give back 1% of sales to nonprofits. Our operational impact model generates well more than 10x that level of impact through direct and dignified employment of refugees. That's the power of employment social enterprises.
Amadou's Journey from Mauritania and Senegal
A farmer in his home country, Amadou loved raising crops to feed his family. After being forced to flee his home under threat of violence, Amadou's family fled to Senegal, where he met his wife and learned how to sew while working for a small company cutting and sewing traditional African men’s clothing. Amandou and his family lived in Senegal for nearly 20 years before getting an opportunity to move to the United States in 2012.
After making American flags for 10 years at a factory in Kansas City, Amadou moved to Denver and joined the team at Knotty Tie. His attention to detail and insistence on quality is incomparable, only second to his commitment to family and faith. In 5+ years with Knotty Tie, Amadou has expertly made every product we sell. Like a true craftsman, he refuses to produce anything other than the highest level of quality. He is happy to have found a position that pays well, suits his skill set and allows him to provide for him and his 8 children.
Marc's Journey from Congo and Rwanda
Living as a Congolese refugee in Rwanda for 18 years, Marc understands global racial discrimination and injustice on a deeply personal level. Evicted from the DRC, Marc and his family took refuge in Rwanda, where they worked hard to create a new home. Marc attended a year long program, where he learned to sew, and used his new talents to provide for his family as well as teach others. Becoming president of the refugee camp, Marc managed volunteers, donations, and relationships with the Rwandan government. To his surprise, his family was among the first group of refugees from the camp to be selected for resettlement to America.
Learning a new culture and country was difficult while Marc sought out jobs where he could use his sewing skills but to no avail. According to Marc, the only jobs available for recently resettled refugees were unfulfilling, unpredictable, and menial and he didn’t think it was possible to find a job doing what he loved, using his sewing and design skills. Fortunately, he found Knotty Tie and is grateful l to have a job where he can learn english, use his professional skills and provide for his family. He is proud to be able to show his children that they have a promising future and can do many things in America.
Omar's Journey from Syria and Jordan
Omar is from Hama, Syria. When Syria broke out in war, the government started throwing civilians in jail without cause. After 8 months of living in fear of being thrown in jail at any moment, Omar fled Syria. He and his family found safety at a refugee camp in Jordan. At first Jordan welcomed Syrian refugees, but as more and more Syrians were displaced by the war, Jordan grew reluctant to accept more refugees. Omar lived in the refugee camp for 5 years before he was granted asylum in America.
On February 13th, 2017, Omar and his family started their new life in Colorado. His wife, his 2 year old son, and his 3 year old daughter accompanied him to their new home. Before he moved to America he didn’t know if he would like it here, but now he says he likes Americans even more than his people of Syria. He has felt very welcome here and he likes his coworkers a lot. His goal is to build a bright future for his family in Denver by becoming fluent in English and later hopes to attend fashion design school. His brother and mother are back in Syria and he hopes that some day they will be able to join him in America.
Refugee
definition
Refugees are people who have been forced to flee their homes and have crossed an international border to escape war, persecution or disaster.
Asylee
definition
An asylum seeker is someone who is also seeking international protection from dangers in their home country, but whose claim for refugee status hasn't been determined legally.
Displaced
definition
A displaced person is someone who has been forced to leave their home, usually due to war, violence, or natural disasters but hasn't crossed external borders to flee.
Good Business Giveaway Winners
We took home the $20k top prize for Colorado companies in the FirstBank's Good Business Giveaway.
15,000 Ribbons for Refugees
The message behind the ribbons was powerful: solidarity and support for the millions of people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes.
