The refugee crisis isn’t going away, and though assisting with basic needs or helping one refugee at a time helps, there are broader solutions available.

More companies are committed to hiring refugees and providing career development opportunities tailored to their needs. This process, called “impact sourcing,” supports groups with limited prospects for formal employment and is an important way companies can champion diversity, equity and inclusion.

But impact hiring is not just a feel-good strategy or a charitable act. It is also a smart business move that can boost your bottom line, your talent pool, and your brand reputation.

Studies have shown that refugees have higher retention rates, low absenteeism, and strong loyalty to employers who invest in them. They also bring diverse perspectives, creativity, resilience, and language skills that can help your company tap new markets and innovate faster. And they can enhance your corporate social responsibility profile, attracting socially conscious customers, investors, and partners who share your values.

Lives Left Behind

We imagine refugees leaving behind only physical belongings when fleeing danger. We don’t think about the disrupted educations, careers, relationships, and dreams. Many refugees face significant barriers to education and employment, and even resettled refugees often face income caps and bureaucratic obstacles to finding work. With support, young refugees can overcome these challenges.

Alnarjes was forced to flee Syria when she was 12. She dreamed of becoming a doctor but was unable to attend university due to her refugee status. With the help of Southern New Hampshire University’s Global Education Movement, she earned a four-year accredited degree remotely while living in a refugee camp in Tripoli, Lebanon. She’s now in London with a full scholarship pursuing a Masters in Global Health in Crisis. Because of the adversity they’ve faced, she says, “Refugees have a power that distinguishes them from others.”

Read the full article about impact sourcing by Jon Browning at Global Washington.