Elected Officials Donate Suits to Men Seeking Careers and Transformation After Incarceration
BRONX, NY, September 22, 2010—Sharply dressed elected officials turned out with suits in hand to champion the month-long National Suit Drive at the Men’s Wearhouse in the Bronx. The National Suit Drive is in its third year of helping low income (or no income) men strive for self-sufficiency, including participants of the Osborne Association – individuals seeking careers and a better life following incarceration. Realizing these men have the potential to transcend their past, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. not only guided the men on tying a double Windsor knot, but also offered his hand in encouragement.
“What you have here today is a real commitment from the Bronx leadership. We believe in you. We’re here for you.” This was the second appearance by Diaz Jr. at the Men’s Wearhouse National Suit Drive event, where suits and professional attire are donated to participants of the Osborne Association – a non-profit organization founded in 1931 that provides a continuum of support for men and women both inside and outside of many New York prisons and jails. Services like drug treatment, job training, HIV prevention/counseling and parenting workshops help these men and women reconnect with their families and to the community – and ultimately reduces the chance they will commit future crimes. As Diaz Jr. put it, “Osborne helps to rebuild a broken spirit.”
New York State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson also extended her support at the event, along with Democratic District Leader Kenny Agosto and Assemblyman Peter Rivera, who recognized this opportunity as a new start for the men. One of whom responded, “My mom wants to thank Osborne for giving me the chance to don a suit with confidence.”
The emcee for the event was Osborne’s Executive Director, Elizabeth Gaynes. Under her leadership over the past 26 years, Osborne has grown from a two-person staff to one of the largest multi-service criminal justice organizations in the country – operating in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Poughkeepsie and Beacon, NY, and in 16 New York State prisons and Rikers Island Jail.
Also in attendance was Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, who shared his story of growing up in a family of laborers. He spoke of his initial unfamiliarity with suits and remarked, “The only suit I wore was a painter’s suit.” Crespo was fascinated by the men dressed in suits on the trains, wondering about their destination and work life. As an elected official, he now understands the suit lifestyle firsthand. He also tries to understand the changes these men are trying to make and reached out to them, stating, “Every single day, if you need us, we’re here to help.”
Participants who benefited from last year’s donations also attended the event, eager to testify how a suit donation boosted their self-confidence, and inspired them to apply for and land their jobs. Employment is a crucial step for successful re-entry into the community following incarceration. Although according to the New York City mayor’s office, a criminal record can adversely impact a person’s chance of securing a job by 35 percent for whites and almost 60 percent for blacks – yet another obstacle in a city with a 9.4 percent unemployment rate (the rate in the Bronx is even higher at 13 percent).
Nationally, Men’s Wearhouse hopes to collect more than 100,000 articles of clothing to benefit non-profits like Osborne. The public has until September 30 to offer donations. Drop-off locations for Osborne include Men’s Wearhouse in Co-Op City and Osborne’s offices in the Bronx (809 Westchester Avenue) and Brooklyn (175 Remsen Street). For every suit Men’s Wearhouse collects, it will donate one dress shirt to the cause. In addition to providing a tax receipt, the company is also thanking donors for their generosity with a 25 percent discount on their next purchase at Men’s Wearhouse.*
“In an economy where we are all forced to manage with less, the donation of a suit represents not only an opportunity to make a strong first impression for our participants, but the strength of our community,” said Jessica Rooks, Osborne’s Director of Workforce Development. “It’s a powerful statement that New Yorkers support each other through challenging times and believe in a person’s ability to transform their lives.”
For more information, visit www.osborneny.org and www.nationalsuitdrive.com.
About The Osborne Association
The Osborne Association offers opportunities for individuals who have been in conflict with the law to transform their lives through innovative, effective, and replicable programs that serve the community by reducing crime and its human and economic costs.
About Men’s Wearhouse
Since it was founded in 1973, Men’s Wearhouse has become one of the largest specialty retailers of men’s apparel in the country, with 1,259 stores carrying a full selection of designer and private-label suits, sport coats, casualwear, and accessories. Today, The Men’s Wearhouse, Inc. family of companies includes Men’s Wearhouse, MW Cleaners, K&G Fashion Superstore, TwinHill Corporate Apparel, and Moores Clothing for Men in Canada, making it one of North America’s leading providers of quality and value in both apparel and apparel care. For additional information, please visit the company’s Web site at menswearhouse.com.
*Restrictions apply. See coupon for details.
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If you are really serious about getting a job with a criminal record or helping someone you care about get a job, check out this link: From Jail to a Job
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