RK Contractors is an Employment Social Enterprise
According to REDF, Employment Social Enterprises (ESEs) are mission-driven, revenue-generating businesses—nonprofit or for-profit—that intentionally employ, train, and provide supportive services to individuals facing barriers to work (e.g., incarceration, homelessness). They blend market-based business principles with social impact, reinvesting profits into employee support.
Key aspects of ESEs as defined by REDF:
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ESEs run a competitive business (a construction company in our case) while serving a social purpose.
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ESEs often provide an “Employee Success Program”. Our program offers financial literacy coaching, housing and transportation assistance, case management, and on-site English classes.
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REDF research shows ESEs more than double job retention for their employees, with a social return on investment of $2.23 in benefits for every $1.00 invested.
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ESEs focus on individuals facing barriers to work. At RK, we have helped new hires overcome barriers related to the following lived experiences:
🌍 Refugees/Asylees
🏠 Housing Instability
🧠 Mental Health
⚖️ Justice-Involved
🛡 Survivors of Violence
🚗 Transportation Instability
Local Projects, Real Impact.
Thoughtfully constructed to elevate what matters most.
Since 2023 Alone
Residential and Commercial Units Improved
36
Nonprofit Projects Completed
11
Habitat for Humanity
Heroes Home Gate
Reconciliation Services
Mattie Rhodes
Guadalupe Center
Sisters in Christ
Powered by A Workforce that Looks Like Kansas City.
Wraparound Services Empower Our Employees.
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🌍 Refugees/Asylees
🏠 Housing Instability
🧠 Mental Health
⚖️ Justice-Involved
🛡 Survivors of Violence
🚗 Transportation Instability
MEET THE TEAM
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Reda Ibrahim grew up in a small village in southern Egypt. After getting married and living in Zanzibar for a period of time, Reda and his family relocated to the US. overcame his lifelong fear of heights and joined a roofing company. He quickly took to the work, and over time expanded his skillset to include several other disciplines. However, he encountered many challenges as an immigrant from the Middle East. He often faced discrimination, but overcame adversity and cultural barriers with the help of friends and the community around him.
Reda Founded RK Contractors to not only provide master-level construction services to the Kansas City community, but to pass on the opportunities he was given to other immigrants and individuals who lack the resources to overcome the challenges they face in their own lives. He is fiercely committed to seeing Kansas City become a more equitable place to live for all of its inhabitants, and pours his passion and love of people into everything that he puts his hand to.
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Originally from Nigeria, our Chief Operating Officer Elvis came to the States from Kuwait to play college basketball and study Chemistry and Physics. He relocated to the Kansas City area from Kentucky after college and became a close friend of Reda and his family. He was moved by the vision of the RK Contractors and eventually joined our team.
Elvis is generally the main point of contact between RK and our customers, and loves making sure to they are satisfied with our work.In his spare time, Elvis enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, playing board and computer games, cooking, and watching Chelsea win.
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Our Chief Financial Officer Josh grew up in rural Illinois before moving to Kansas City where he married his wife. The family now lives in Vietnam with their two sons.
While living in KC for over ten years, they became good friends with Reda and his family. Josh and Reda share an objective of showing God’s love to the people around them in highly practical ways - especially by helping those who may be disadvantaged find opportunities to achieve success for themselves. This can include helping people find career opportunities, professional development, or just navigating a new language and system.
As a financial professional, Josh also contributes to the company by keeping the finances organized, monitoring cash flow, and helping the company evaluate key financial decisions.
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Our Office & Communications Manager Noel grew up in Kansas City. She has always had a heart for connecting with cultures outside her own, which led her to travel to Egypt for the first time in 2021 to meet her brother-in-law, Reda's family. She married her Egyptian husband there in January 2024. They are now living in Kansas City and work with the family business.
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Kalina is our Employee Success Program Coordinator. She grew up in the urban core of KC and no matter how far around the world she has lived, she still returns to the Historic Northeast community to call it home again. She is the wife of Reda and together they have four children and founded RK Contractors and Mercy in the City (the nonprofit they launched to build affordable housing in the community).
With over a decade of experience working in many countries and cultures, Kalina works to support our admin and foreman to structure our SOPs and company culture in a way that creates productivity while honoring all cultures. She meets regularly with staff and field crew members to ensure their needs are heard and systems are created that support the diversity of all.