Seeing people flourish with a new employer is what energizes us. We regularly contact former participants to ask how they're doing, what their work has brought them, and how they look back on their time at i-did.

This time it's Kim's story at De Koekfabriek.

Name: Kim
Age: 30 years
Currently working at: De Koekfabriek in Utrecht. Since 2018.

Left: Kim at work at i-did, right: Kim in her new position at De Koekfabriek

How did you end up at De Koekfabriek?

Tina (coach at i-did) visited the Koekfabriek and encouraged me to see if I could work there. They were looking for someone, and I said, "I'm looking for work, you're looking for employees. Let's work together."

They thought that was a good idea.

The first six months were really about getting used to the work environment. As a stepping stone to a 'real' job. After six months, because they were so satisfied, I got a new contract. Ultimately, I never left.

What kind of work do you do there?

"De Koekfabriek is located at four different locations, including one near the Neude in Utrecht. The bakers are people who are distanced from the labor market.

As the name suggests, we bake and sell special cookies. I'm responsible for packing and preparing the orders. This also includes contacting customers who come to pick them up.

The work suits us so well, on both sides, that I now have a permanent contract with the Koekfabriek."

How do you look back on your time at i-did?

"In the early days at i-did, I had to get used to working again. To be somewhere on time, to be counted on, and to not be able to just cancel. These aren't things you take for granted when you've been stuck at home for so long.

My biggest lessons were creating structure during workdays and learning to set boundaries. Sometimes I'd overstep the mark, only to discover it had been reached.

i-did isn't just a place to spend a day. They provide excellent guidance, workshops, and a job coach. There's a place to vent and learn. I was only supposed to stay for eight months, but I extended it to a year. That speaks volumes.

i-did turns textiles into social impact

Every year, over 200,000 tons of textiles are discarded in the Netherlands, including large quantities of workwear. At the same time, more than 400,000 people are on welfare, including refugees and those for whom access to employment is not a given. They have few opportunities to discover and utilize their talents.

At i-did, we connect these two challenges: old textiles are given a second life and processed into products that truly matter. Products made by people who, at i-did, have the opportunity to gain experience and contribute meaningfully to society.

More and more companies are choosing i-did products, increasing our social impact and reach every year. On this page , we share insights, figures, and examples of how clothing reuse and social impact converge.