JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Dressing for success means looking your best, especially if you’re a job applicant meeting a hiring manager for the first time. You want to look and sound presentable and professional.
A Jacksonville woman runs an organization that helps disadvantaged men, teenagers, and ex-convicts look and sound their best for success.
The organization is called Suited4Success, and Shara Mondy is the founder and CEO.
News4JAX met Mondy inside the Men’s Closet clothing store on Lem Turner Road. She was picking up tuxedos and suits to give away to disadvantaged high school seniors so they could look their best for this year’s senior prom.
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“I know the expense of trying to provide for your children, especially prom. Day-to-day life expenses are hard enough, but you want your children to be excited and happy to get dressed up to participate in prom,” Mondy said.
The store owner is one of several store owners throughout Jacksonville who donate new clothing to Mondy’s organization.
On the day News4JAX spoke with Mondy, the store owner was donating the tuxedos and suits to her organization.
He told News4JAX that he fully vetted the Mondy’s organization and had been a contributor to Suited4Success for many years because he enjoyed the satisfaction of knowing what little he could donate extends a helping hand to those in need.
In addition to making sure disadvantaged teens have a memorable prom, the organization also helps men released from prison get jobs by ensuring they look the part.
“When a guy is coming out of prison, they already feel like they have one strike against them,” Mondy said. “We do help them with their resume. We do mock interviews to make sure they are totally ready; this is just the icing on the cake to look polished in a brand-new suit.”
Sounding and looking polished is only a part of the equation for success. Mondy wants the people she helps to feel successful.
‘When you look good, you feel good. Self-esteem is a big component of this. When they dress well, they feel better to speak up and talk about the experience, knowledge, and skills they have,” Mondy said.
Mondy’s organization may have started in Jacksonville 25 years ago but has since branched out to Charlotte, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina. She and her program were even featured on a CNN Champions for Change segment, which gave the program national attention.
Suits4Success also helps people experiencing homelessness and veterans who are trying to re-enter the workforce. Once the people Suits4Success helps get jobs, clients are allowed to come back and receive additional donated business attire to help them until they are fully on their feet.
If anyone is interested in donating to Suits4Success, you can call the organization at 904-323-4088.