Local
ARI of Connecticut, Inc. & Men’s Wearhouse attack “mancession” with National Suit Drive
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Sep 1, 2010 - 10:58 AM

From now until September 30, ARI of Connecticut, Inc., a Stamford based agency that provides jobs, homes and services to over 150 adults with disabilities, is partnering with Men’s Wearhouse to help disadvantaged men seeking employment get a boost of self-confidence during the third annual National Suit Drive, the country’s largest collection of gently used business attire.

This is ARI of Connecticut, Inc.’s third time joining Men’s Wearhouse and approximately 200 other charities to distribute the items collected at Men’s Wearhouse locations. Items collected include men’s and women’s suits, shirts, jackets, ties, belts, and shoes. Residents of Fairfield County may donate their gently used and cleaned items at the Stamford, Trumbull, or Westport locations.

“We are very excited to work with Men’s Wearhouse on the National Suit Drive campaign,” said Matthew Reyher, President & CEO of ARI of Connecticut, Inc. in Stamford, CT. “Proper professional attire really makes a difference in our clients’ lives. With these donations, men will have the opportunity to walk into an interview with confidence – an essential first step toward economic stability.”

Although the recession has affected a wide spectrum of the American workforce, 82 percent of job losses have befallen men, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, due to the economy’s particularly heavy impact on male-dominated industries like construction and manufacturing. In Stamford, the unemployment rate hit 8.2% in June, proving that many are still struggling to find work.

“With nearly one out of ten working-age men unemployed in this country, the economic downturn has disproportionately hurt the male workforce,” said George Zimmer, Men’s Wearhouse founder and CEO. “By collecting and donating professional clothing, Men’s Wearhouse aims to help men ‘suit up’ for job interviews and offset the ‘mancession.’”

Nationally, Men’s Wearhouse hopes to collect more than 100,000 articles of clothing to benefit charities like ARI of Connecticut, Inc. Last year ARI was able to help hundreds of men in Stamford get suited up for their next job interview.
For every suit the company collects, it will donate one dress shirt to the cause. In addition to providing a tax receipt, Men’s Wearhouse is thanking donors for their generosity with a 25 percent off discount on their next purchase at Men’s Wearhouse.*
For more information, visit www.arict.org and www.nationalsuitdrive.com

About ARI of Connecticut, Inc.:
ARI of Connecticut, Inc. (Always Reaching for Independence), enriches the lives of people with disabilities and their families by enabling them to achieve their fullest potential at home, at work, and in the community. Since 1952, ARI has been providing jobs, homes, and services to adults with developmental disabilities in the Stamford area. Many of its clients come from a low income background and have limited resources making it difficult to purchase clothing needed to gain employment. Currently ARI provides job development and coaching for over 30 individuals employed in the Stamford area. The clothing donated form the suit drive will be used to help these clients gain employment in a very competitive market. Last year ARI partnered with other local agencies distributing suits to men looking for jobs. Over 300 men received at least one suit which was used in their quest for sustainable employment.

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, visit the company’s Web site at menswearhouse.com.

*Restrictions apply. See coupon for details.

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