Global Neighborhood

Mission

We offer pathways to employment for our neighbors who have come to the Inland Northwest as refugees. Through our sustainable Social Enterprise Thrift & Vintage store, we provide job training, education, income, and a community of support to help refugees rebuild their lives in the U.S.

Our Story

Global Neighborhood was founded in 2008 to provide long-term support to the roughly 500-1000 refugees per year that have been resettling in Spokane. In 2010 we earned our 501-C-3 independent nonprofit status and in 2011, we opened Global Neighborhood Thrift & Vintage, a thrift store using a social enterprise business model to provide services to refugees, including employment, job skills training, access to English language education, and other support services. Our retail storefront and Job Readiness Program began as a training for just two refugees and has since expanded into a thriving community organization that has paid out more than $5 million in wages to people who came to the US as refugees. Over the years we have provided short-term job training programming, vocational ESL education, long-term employment and supportive resources to hundreds of people. Global Neighborhood provides a safe and welcoming space for refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants where they gain skills along with a sense of belonging and learn how to navigate life in their new home.