The Life Cycle of a Garment Donated to Working Wardrobes
When Working Wardrobes was founded in 1990, self-esteem, including wardrobing, was top-of-mind. From the beginning, we realized that clothing is more than just what a person wears, it is the power to choose how a person presents themself to the world. “Enclothed cognition” is a term coined in 2012 that describes how our perception of ourselves can be altered by our clothing. When navigating the complicated job market, job seekers need all the support and confidence they can get. Working Wardrobes provides confidence through our career development and job skills trainings that culminate with wardrobing
Q & A Session with Working Wardrobes’ Retail Managers
Last week, we sat down with all four Working Wardrobes’ retail managers for our Rebuilding Careers podcast to get the inside scoop on a visit to The Hanger Outlets or The Hanger Boutiques. These women offered camaraderie, insights into what you can expect when you walk into one of Working Wardrobes' retail stores, and lessons on how you can change lives when you shop. Here are just a few of the questions we asked. What is the Difference Between The Hanger Outlets and The Hanger Boutiques? The Hanger Boutiques in Laguna Niguel and Tustin are
Joblessness in Orange County — The Barriers to Work are Not Always Obvious
Editorial from Working Wardrobes CEO, Bonni Pomush As the CEO of Working Wardrobes, I see first-hand how joblessness in Orange County affects individuals, families, and communities. Employment numbers in Orange County are rising, and yet the county still faces serious unemployment and underemployment in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although many entry-level positions are available, job seekers needing sustainable, livable wages continue to face barriers to reentering the workforce. Joblessness in Orange County Sometimes, the barriers are not always obvious. A job seeker must have their basic needs met first in order to perform
Success Story: How Your Donations Are Put to Use
Since our inception in 1990, the goal of Working Wardrobes has been to leave an enduring change in the lives of our clients, their families, and in the community. In the decades that followed, our fearless founder, Jerri Rosen, made sure we did just that. 2020 was a year that changed everything: a devastating fire destroyed our Donation Center and Career Success Center, and just 6 weeks later, the world entered a pandemic. Now, two years later, as much of the world moves into new stages of transition, so does Working Wardrobes. This year we
How the Rebuilding Careers Coalition Supports the Mission of Working Wardrobes
In Southern California, many are unemployed or have struggled to make a career change in the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, a changing workforce and wavering economy make “keeping up” a challenge for the most vulnerable among us. This includes young adults, Veterans, seniors, and those reentering society after incarceration or other involvement with the justice system. The Rebuilding Careers Coalition (RCC) is a giving collective of visionary individuals and corporations in our community who are dedicated to helping individuals overcome barriers and achieve meaningful employment. RCC members generously give unrestricted donations of $1200
Give The Power of a Paycheck™; Join the Rebuilding Careers Coalition
Right now, despite improving numbers, Orange County still faces serious unemployment and underemployment in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unemployment affects every area of life in a community. Housing, transportation, childcare, and food insecurity make finding and keeping a job more difficult, and as the job search continues, these resources continue to decline. For the jobless community in Orange County, circumstances are expected to be more difficult as unproductivity leads to illness and addiction. Individuals are desperate for a leg up on their career journey, and communities are eager to find ways to empower
Q & A with Bonni Pomush on 2022 Initiatives
We asked Working Wardrobes CEO Bonni Pomush about her vision for Working Wardrobes. Together, we took an in-depth look at goals, sustainability, and the organization’s mission. What are your goals for the Working Wardrobes’ leadership and Board? Every voice matters. In the years ahead, we will continue our efforts to bring more diversity to the decision-making table. It is also important that every person grooms/mentors their successor - whether it’s a staff member or Board member. We will aim to build the strength of our talented “bench” by developing and investing in our volunteers and
Announcing Updates to Drives and Corporate Social Responsibility
We are excited to share that we are bringing Corporate Social Responsibility days BACK! You’re invited to participate, with some new procedures in place. Please contact us soon to book your date; hurry, dates are filling up fast! As we kick off 2022 Corporate Social Responsibility Days and Corporate Drives, here are a few things to know before booking. Corporate Social Responsibility Days CSR days are a great way to get to know colleagues better, share an experience that you can take back to the office, and empower your team to give back to your