Community in Action: Restoring Confidence, One Donation at a Time
A break-in may have taken items—but not our resolve. Here’s how you can help restore wardrobes and rebuild confidence for our clients.
Recently, Working Wardrobes experienced an unfortunate break-in. Handbags, jewelry, shoes, and accessories were stolen from the Wardrobe Center at our headquarters, the Career Success Center. While the loss of property is disappointing, what truly stings is knowing these items were donated to ultimately empower people on their journey to thriving and sharing their unique talents through employment.
At Working Wardrobes, these accessories aren’t just meaningless things. They’re the finishing touches that help someone walk into a job interview feeling prepared, confident, and proud. This theft didn’t just impact our inventory on the shelves—it interrupted someone’s momentum toward building a brighter future.
And now, we urgently need your help.
Starting next week, we will be serving over 250 young adults at the Wardrobe Center—each one preparing to take a critical step toward employment and self-sufficiency. These clients rely on us for the professional attire and accessories that help them feel job-ready and confident. But right now, we don’t have enough to meet the need.
We remain resolved.
This is not the first adversity we’ve overcome. In 2020, preceding the pandemic, we suffered a devastating loss in a fire that decimated our headquarters and warehouse. You came to the rescue. Today, we again turn to you, our incredible community of support — because together, we can ensure nothing stands in the way of someone’s second (or first!) chance.
We’re already seeing the power of that support in action. Thank you to everyone who has stepped up—donating accessories, spreading the word, hosting drives, and shopping our new merch store. Whether you’ve shared a post, dropped off items, or made a purchase, your generosity is already making an impact. Your actions prove that our mission is shared, and our community is strong.
Here are three ways you can help — and help quickly:
1. Donate clothing and accessories — ASAP
Help restock essential wardrobe pieces as quickly as possible so we’re fully prepared for next week’s influx of clients.
To those of you who already began to use summer as a time to “spring clean” by making clothing donations, thank you!! Your generosity and support is life-transforming and appreciated oh-so much!
Drop-off options:
- Working Wardrobes Donation Center (17392 Daimler St, Irvine, CA 92614) Tues – Sat | 9 AM – 3 PM (Closed on holidays, including July 4)
- Special Event in Laguna Niguel The Hanger Boutique (28051 Greenfield Dr, Suite E) Saturday, June 28 | 11 AM – 3 PM
We’re accepting gently-loved:
- Handbags
- Jewelry & Accessories
- Shoes
- Clean clothing on hangers (men’s and women’s)
Please note: We cannot accept damaged items, undergarments, kids’ clothing, or swimwear.
2. Shop with Purpose: Wear What You Believe In
Every item you purchase helps us recover from the theft and supports the hundreds of clients we serve. Your order helps us:
- Replenish accessories lost in the break-in
- Support job training, resume prep, and interview coaching
- Provide wardrobe consultations and essential supplies
This isn’t just merch — it’s momentum.
Join the movement. Shop with purpose. Wear it proud. #WWStrong
3. Share the Message — Immediately
Time is of the essence. We’re asking our community to help spread the word so we can meet the urgent needs of the 250 young adults arriving next week.
Share this story. Tag us on social media. Use the hashtag #WWStrong. The more people who hear about this, the more impact we can make — together.
With your help, we’re already moving forward—stronger, more united, and ready to show every client that their future is worth fighting for.
Thank you for standing with us. The time to act is now.