Day of Self Esteem gives men new suits, haircuts and more..

nice article, nice deed. However, i have never heard something like this done for women who also need that self esteem boost.

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Working Wardrobes took the men through a month-long program to put them on the road to success.

By KELLI HART

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

FOUNTAIN VALLEY –A group of 110 men on Sunday received a second chance at turning their lives around at the 11th annual Men's Day of Self Esteem.

Working Wardrobes provided the men with brand new suits, shoes, briefcases and haircuts, and interview and resume workshops in an effort by the Irvine-based nonprofit organization to help men and women re-enter the workforce after life crises.

The program is voluntary with the goal of assisting individuals who are transitioning from jail or prison, or who have struggled with addiction, homelessness or other life-challenging situations.

The organization's CEO and founder Jerri Rosen said that this is the final stage in the men's transformation after they completed a month-long program with the organization.

"The inside transformation is what is critically important," Rosen said. "We don't want that suit to be empty."

Chris Vera of Santa Ana was beaming to have the chance to change his life after a rough patch.

"This is mind-blowing," Vera said. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to tap into a resource to better myself. I feel blessed."

The day of makeovers kicked off with an inspirational speech by therapist and author Raphael Natale. Also addressing the crowd was Stephen Campa, who went through the Working Wardrobes program himself two years ago after battling drug addiction for 34 years and spending time in and out of jail.

"I was basically chasing my high on a day to day basis, it didn't really matter if I lived or died," Campa recalled of his life with addiction.

Campa, 45, lost his marriage and his relationship with his daughter Sage while chasing his addiction. After being released from his last stint in jail, Campa began the program with Working Wardrobes and made a decision to change his life.

"I had basically run out of tears," Campa said. "I had cried myself to sleep so many times wanting a change."

Two years ago, Campa was in the same shoes as the men who received self-esteem makeovers Sunday.

"I was standing there in a brand new suit, a briefcase in one hand and my resume in the other hand, and I felt like a member of society," he said.

Since that day two years ago, Campa has secured a job as a sales executive for Express Graphics and Printing and lives on his own in Dana Point. He also has rekindled his relationship with his daughter and has remained sober for three years.

After their suit fittings, the men had mock interviews and sought new jobs in a career fair featuring 15 recruiters with jobs to offer, including Costco, Nordstrom and Sears.

The air at Los Amigos High School was full of positive energy and excitement as the men wearing street clothes disappeared behind the curtains and emerged wearing their brand new suits provided by Men's Wearhouse.

Todd Lindquist, a volunteer for Working Wardrobes, couldn't help but notice a change in the demeanor of the men.

"I think it's a great service that they're [Working Wardrobes]doing," Lindquist said. "When they put these suits on, they start glowing. They want to go out there and get a job."

Contact the writer: khart@ocregister.com or 949-454-7391