HELPING VETERANS DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Los Angeles, CA — In honor of Veteran Appreciation Month, Working Wardrobes, a longtime supporter and partner of New Directions, invited 18 veterans from our agency to a celebration lunch on Saturday, May 31, in recognition of each man’s successful return to the workplace.

Over the past few years many New Directions clients have benefited from donations of business attire from Working Wardrobes, a nonprofit agency that is committed to helping adults in crisis return to work.  Through general contributions and special events – such as their annual Men’s and Women’s Day of Self-Esteem – Working Wardrobes has been highly instrumental in enabling our clients to look and feel confident and professional as they re-enter the workforce.

At the May event for veterans, New Directions’ clientele were able to get complimentary haircuts and a meal before picking out new business clothes to take home.  In June, another New Directions graduate, Kenneth Scott, was chosen to receive a “Father’s Day Makeover,” in honor of his recovery from substance abuse and the work he has done in restoring relationships with his daughters.  In honor of his success, Jimmy Au for Men 5’8” and Under plans to furnish the veteran with a fine-tailored, designer suit.  

By his own account, Kenneth, 41, “abused drugs and alcohol for 25 years.”  Unable to pay rent or keep a job, he spent several decades committing petty crimes and living an itinerant lifestyle.  Today, after a year and a half of sobriety, he is successfully employed and has a place of his own.  Perhaps most importantly, Kenneth has finally earned the trust of his two daughters.

New Directions provides drug and alcohol detoxification intensive substance abuse treatment, and job training for homeless veterans in the Los Angeles area.  The nonprofit agency is located on the grounds of the West Los Angeles Veteran Affairs (VA) Medical Center.  An estimated 20,000 homeless veterans reside in Los Angeles, comprising approximately one third of the area’s homeless population.