For Immediate Release

Media Contact
Megan Harless
Office (714) 210-2460
MeganH@workingwardrobes.org

Battle Force to Workforce: Veterans among participants in annual Men’s Day of Self-EsteemSM
Working Wardrobes’ Men’s Day of Self-Esteem helping take men from crises to self-sufficiency

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. – On Sunday, October 19, Working Wardrobes will welcome veterans of the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan to its annual Men’s Day of Self-Esteem. Marines from Camp Pendleton’s Transition Assistance Program, as well as homeless veterans being served by New Directions in Los Angeles, will join 100 men from seven other Orange and Los Angeles County programs. The men will receive working wardrobes and grooming services, hear motivational speaker Raphael Natale, and participate in mock-interviews and a career fair. Now in its 11th year, the Men’s Day of Self-Esteem was first held in 1998 after the Men’s Wearhouse aligned with Working Wardrobes to expand program services to address the needs of men.

The upcoming Men’s Day of Self-Esteem will highlight two important new partnerships for Working Wardrobes:

1. The organization’s commitment to serving America’s valiant heroes. In June, Working Wardrobes hosted its first Veterans Day of Self-Esteem and served 50 combat and combat-wounded Marines at Camp Pendleton. “We have reached out to veterans to participate in our past Men’s Days of Self-Esteem,” explains Jerri Rosen, CEO/Founder of Working Wardrobes, “and are pleased to have formed a close working partnership with Camp Pendleton to help address the growing issues surrounding the unemployment of Marines transitioning from military to civilian life.”
2. The Hosiery Association has selected Working Wardrobes as their charity of choice for the 2009 launch of a new consumer initiative called “No Cold Feet.”  The Hosiery Association’s member companies will donate leg wear, hosiery and undergarments to help Working Wardrobes clients complete their business outfits and dress with confidence. There will be a double impact with the campaign – physical warmth for those in need of excellent quality hosiery and the prevention of “cold feet” during the interview process for clients served by Working Wardrobes. 

At this year’s Day of Self-Esteem, the veterans will join at-risk men from the following programs: Action Alliance, Cedar House Rehabilitation Center, Long Beach Drug Court/ NCADD Prop 36, Mercy House, O.C. Conservation Corps, Weingart Center and the Phoenix House. As a prerequisite for participating in the Men’s Day of Self-Esteem, all the men have completed mandatory sessions of Working Wardrobes’ “Career Success” workshop series taught by volunteer Success Coaches.

On event day, after receiving their new wardrobe and a workshop providing a realistic mock-interview exercise, participants will have the opportunity to meet with potential employers at a Career Fair.  A number of companies including Apple One, OC Conservation Corps, Nordstrom, Cambrian Homecare, Marriot Newport Coast Villas, Macy*s, Kimco Staffing Services, The First American Corporation, Union Bank of California, Southern CA Institute of Technology, Staff Pro, Inc. and the Men’s Wearhouse.  

The upcoming event will be held at the Los Amigos High School in Fountain Valley from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  For those interested in volunteering for this event or helping meet our need for small or plus sized men’s clothing and shoes, please visit our website at www.workingwardrobes.org or call (714) 210-2460 for more information. 

###

About Working Wardrobes:
Working Wardrobes, an independent, nonprofit organization, helps men and women in crises re-enter the workforce through wardrobing and career development. Clients receive professional wardrobing and personal grooming services, and access to the Career Development Center offering a Career Specialist for one-on-one consultations, job referrals, internet access for job searches, resume development tools and a resource library. Since 1991, Working Wardrobes has served nearly 40,000 adults experiencing a variety of life crises including homelessness, catastrophic illness, alcohol and substance abuse, and traumatic financial losses. Working Wardrobes serves Cal Works recipients, clients of social service agencies, and individuals in 60 shelters/programs in Orange County, Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, and San Diego. www.workingwardrobes.org