Working Wardrobes Celebrates 25 Years, More than 80,000 Clients
(PRWEB) February 25, 2015 -- Working Wardrobes, an Orange County, California nonprofit specializing in helping people overcome difficult challenges to find meaningful employment and achieve self-sufficiency, today announced the official launch of its 25th Anniversary.
The nonprofit celebrates serving over 80,000 clients throughout its history and the launch of a new fundraising campaign called The Power of a Paycheck, to help bring critical skills training to the unemployed and under-employed in our area.
The Working Wardrobes 25th Anniversary celebration culminates at a special gala in October, where highlights from this year’s fundraising campaign will be presented. The gala is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2015, at the Hotel Irvine, and Working Wardrobes 25th Anniversary Sponsorship Opportunities are available for interested organizations.
“Working Wardrobes has garnered significant milestones through the years, all for the purpose of helping men, women, young adults, and veterans find jobs and achieve self-sufficiency,” said Jerri Rosen, Founder and CEO of Working Wardrobes. “Being able to say ‘I got the job!’ brings remarkable joy to our clients who were formerly hopeless. We look forward to the next 25 years, and to making the power of a paycheck a reality for tens of thousands of additional worthy clients.”
Working Wardrobes has plenty to celebrate this year, as it reflects on its 25th Anniversary and the milestones it has achieved along the way. Following are highlights.
• In 1990, Working Wardrobes launches and holds its first ever “Day of Self-Esteem,” serving 67 women from six domestic violence shelters in Orange County.
• In 1997, the nonprofit adds services for male clients, while forming a longstanding partnership with Men’s Wearhouse to provide men’s business apparel.
• In 2001, Working Wardrobes opens its first retail store.
• In 2007, it implements daily career development services and job training.
• In 2012, Working Wardrobes formalizes its work with veterans, launching VetNet to provide career readiness and life skills services to veterans returning from war.
• In 2014, Working Wardrobes expands its retail operations once again, with the businesses it operates now representing nearly 50% of its annual revenue.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate 25 years, and over 80,000 clients who have turned to Working Wardrobes for career training, job placement assistance, and professional wardrobe services,” said Kim Shepherd, Working Wardrobes Board Chair and CEO of Decision Toolbox, a leading recruitment products and services company. “The impact we’ve made in the community, and in the lives of people overcoming difficult challenges to find work, is paramount. I look forward to guiding Working Wardrobes on its journey to increase the number of people served in our community and to setting the foundation for the next 25 years.”
Working Wardrobes has special events planned throughout the year as part of its 25th Anniversary Celebration. To learn how you can support these efforts, visit http://www.workingwardrobes.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Sponorship-levels-and-grid.pdf.
To learn more about Working Wardrobes, visit http://www.workingwardrobes.org. To support The Power of a Paycheck campaign, visit https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/workingwardrobes/giving2014.html. Contact Working Wardrobes at (714) 210-2460 or by email at meganh(at)workingwardrobes(dot)org.
About Working Wardrobes
Working Wardrobes is an independent nonprofit organization that empowers men, women, veterans, and young adults overcoming difficult challenges to confidently enter the workforce and achieve self-sufficiency. The organization provides career training, job placement assistance, and professional wardrobe services in an environment of dignity and respect.
Since 1990, Working Wardrobes has grown to serve over 80,000 men, women, veterans, and young adults overcoming difficult challenges including alcohol and substance abuse, prison re-entry, homelessness, catastrophic illness, traumatic financial losses, military to civilian transition, and underemployment. It assists CalWorks recipients, clients of social service agencies, and individuals in 60 shelters or programs in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Inland Empire. The Working Wardrobes social enterprise model serves as an example of self-sustainability to organizations nationwide.
Working Wardrobes’ current board of directors includes (in alphabetical order by last name): Derek Benson, Union Bank; Jodi Chavez, Accounting Principals; Anna Conrekas, US Bank; Mandi Dossin, DGWB; John Gates, Trimor Company; Harry Humphries, GSGI, Inc.; Bob Hurley; Stephen Kelley, Health Essentials, LLC; Michelle Koontz, Fluor; Jean Latu, Ingenio Solutions; Darryl Martin, Sentinel Offender Systems, LLC; Emily Reynolds, ADP; Vanessa Ryan, The Allergan Foundation; Jerri Rosen, CEO, Working Wardrobes; Jeffrey Shepard, Hughes Marino, Inc.; Kim Shepherd, Decision Toolbox; Rich Shugg, Autobytel, Inc.; Carrie Swanson, The Boeing Company; Nicha Tabrizi, Wells Fargo; and Mike N. Vo, Law Offices of Mike N. Vo.
Jennifer Lange, Working Wardrobes, http://www.workingwardrobes.org, +1 (949) 460-3408, [email protected]
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