Announcement
Tantine working on GE industrial tool bags
When Tantine Mukokia arrived for her interview at Lone Star Canvas, she walked in the front door of a large warehouse looming before her. Along her side was IRC Employment Specialist, Julia Montoya.
As soon as she walked through the door, Mukokia sought out a sewing machine, sat down, and started sewing. “I was so scared!” remarked Montoya, “she just sat down at the machine and took off sewing!” but Mukokia was brave. Allena Chapman at Lone Star Canvas smiled at Montoya, and asked when Mukoika could start, she was hired on the spot.
Mukokia spent 7 years working as a seamstress in war-torn Congo before being resettled by the IRC in Abilene at the end of 2017. She has been working full time at Lone Star Canvas since January sewing industrial tool bags for General Electric who contracts this work to Lone Star Canvas. Chapman reached out to the IRC in September of 2017 Abilene asking if we had any experienced seamstresses. Tantine was the perfect fit.
Lone Star Canvas has been in Abilene since 2004, under a different name, ABC Tent and Party Rental. In 2011 it became Lone Star Canvas. In 2016, owner Ted Evans opened Lone Star Dry Goods, a trendy “Man Store” in Downtown Abilene, boasting manly products, unique gear, and an instore barber. Leadership at Lone Star Canvas has embraced Abilene’s frontier narrative by first being a local small business, expanding to the ever-growing downtown area, and now by hiring refugees.
“She just shows up and gets to work” owner Ted Evans stated, “one of our largest challenges with our employees is keeping them off of their cell phones. Tantine doesn’t do that.”
“Tantine helps to bring everyone together” he continued, “While she doesn’t speak English, we’ve gotten to see our other employees step up and help her communicate by using translation apps on their phones. She’s created more initiative in the warehouse by being who she is.”
“It’s been a great experience for us working with Tantine. We’re ready for you to send us more refugees like her!”
Hard at work in the warehouse.
If you are a local business owner and are interested in hiring refugees to boost morale and work ethic around your business, reach out to the IRC in Abilene by calling our office at 325-675-5643 or by emailing [email protected].