A Whole Lotta Inspiration - words from our Founder / CEO

by Jerri Rosen
(Photos compliments of WW interns)

We often hear from our volunteers and donors that they are inspired by seeing the transformation that happens in the lives of our clients. The confidence that our workshops and trainings give them on the inside. The respect and dignity that comes from wearing a great suit on the outside.

Certainly before and after photos tell an enormous story.

But, for me the words of our clients are even more powerful. The words tell the inside story of the path our clients have traveled and give us a chance to see how that journey has changed their lives for good.

When we held a press conference to launch the 2009 Men’s Wearhouse National Suit Drive on September 1, I joined a number of guests and hard working interns in listening to the words of Raymond Ramos. Raymond is one of the clients we served through the Department of Juvenile Justice program we collaborated on with Phoenix House Orange County.

Raymond spoke eloquently and poignantly of his past; of never having one day where he felt rested; of the profound changes he has made in his life; of changes that he finds it difficult to accept even today. But accept them he does because Raymond is a new man, a humble man who continues to give back to young teens who are now incarcerated in the same place he was a few years ago.

And when Raymond spoke about the power of a suit to heal him and to make him feel connected to the people in his company (he’s now an account manager with an equipment service company), there was not a person in the room who didn’t experience the emotion of his words. Throat lumps, tears, goose bumps, pride in our hearts – we all felt it.

The event, held at the law offices of Palmieri, Tyler, Wiener, Wilhelm & Waldron LLP in Irvine, included a number of special guests:

• Mr. Sukee Kang, Mayor of Irvine
• Mr. Guy Corrozzo, Mayor of Fountain Valley
• Mr. Norm Rodich, partner Palmieri Tyler and founder of Law Suits
• Mr. Michael Green, founding partner Palmieri Tyler
• Mr. Toby Sherman, District Manager, Men’s Wearhouse
• Mr. Raymond Ramos, Working Wardrobes Success Story

Interns Ching Yun, Katrina, Kellisa, Bay and Nikki handled every detail of the event and were outstanding hosts. You can see from the photo below that this is a group of talented interns who take their assignments seriously. I’m so proud of the work each of our interns is doing for us. And very proud that we do have the power to transform lives . . . . every day!