The Urban League of Greater Hartford is partnering with Men’s Wearhouse to help disadvantaged job seekers get a boost of self-confidence during the fourth annual National Suit Drive, the country’s largest collection of gently used business attire.
This is the Urban League’s third time joining Men’s Wearhouse and approximately 200 other charities to distribute the items collected at Men’s Wearhouse locations. Items collected include men’s and women’s suits, shirts, jackets, ties, belts, and shoes.
Residents of Greater Hartford may donate their gently used and cleaned items through Aug. 31 at four Men’s Wearhouse stores: West Hartford at 1455 New Britain Avenue; South Windsor at 95 Buckland Road; Simsbury at 6 Albany Ave, and in the Buckland Hills Mall.
“Many men in Hartford are still struggling to find jobs as the economy slowly recovers,” said Bruce Sievers, director of workforce development and training at the Urban League. “National Suit Drive will empower these men with the self-confidence that comes from looking sharp and will help them to stand out from the crowd of job seekers.”
Although the recession has affected a wide spectrum of the American workforce, 82 percent of job losses have befallen men, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, due to the economy’s particularly heavy impact on male-dominated industries like construction and manufacturing. In the Greater Hartford labor market, the unemployment rate hit 19.1 percent in May.
“With nearly one out of ten working-age men unemployed in this country, the economic downturn has disproportionately hurt the male workforce,” said George Zimmer, Men’s Wearhouse founder and CEO. “By collecting and donating professional clothing, Men’s Wearhouse aims to help men ‘suit up’ for job interviews and give them an important boost of confidence that will help them reach their goals.”
To thank donors for their generosity, Men’s Wearhouse will reward them with 50 percent off a purchase at Men’s Wearhouse and will donate a tie for every suit received.
COCO changes its name
The company known for more than 30 years as Cheshire Occupational & Career Opportunities (COCO) has officially changed its name, becoming Abilities Without Boundaries on July 1.
Since 1978, COCO has been providing services to Cheshire and the surrounding towns, including serving more than 65 clients in the nonprofit’s day program.
However, the company felt the need to re-brand the organization in order to gain more support and recognition in Cheshire and the surrounding community.
“We are all very excited about the new range of possibilities that this name change will open to us,” said Charlie Conway, Executive Director of the newly named Abilities Without Boundaries
“Abilities Without Boundaries absolutely captures the essence of our organization’s everlasting initiative and commitment to take our spirited efforts to the next level,” remarks Michael Lenkowski, President of the Board of Directors.
On Wednesday, July 27, Abilities Without Boundaries will be hosting a Cheshire Chamber of Commerce After-Hours event at its West Johnson Avenue location.
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Grant aids Operation Fuel
The Fairfield County Community Foundation has awarded a $15,000 grant to Operation Fuel to help support the non-profit’s emergency energy assistance program for lower-income families and elderly residents in Fairfield County.
In the year ending June 30, Bloomfield-based Operation Fuel gave out more than $1.7 million in energy assistance statewide of which $227,000 went to households in Fairfield County.
The Fairfield County Community Foundation, which is headquartered in Norwalk, promotes the growth of community and regional philanthropy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County.
