Have you been out of work for awhile, but have an upcoming job interview and nothing to wear? Have you heard of Kamileon’s Kloset Inc.? It’s a showroom featuring updated professional wardrobes as well as offers hairstyling/haircut and grooming referrals, image makeovers and life skills training. The Atlanta-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization’s mission is to transform lives by promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged men and women seeking employment.
According to their mission statement, Kamileon’s Kloset Inc. “helps each client transition into the work force by providing professional attire, full-service image makeovers and life coaching. This program enhances the employment potential of each client, effecting a significant reduction in poverty, while underscoring the intrinsic dignity of each individual advancing into the workplace.”
Located in the Smyrna/Vinings area at The Collective at Cumberland (inside Cumberland Community Church), Kamileon’s Kloset is the brainchild of college professor and philanthropist Kamila Brown-Washington.
“Our mission is to transform lives. We provide wardrobe and image makeovers to men and women who are seeking employment. We provide an environment where clients are served with dignity and with respect and not feel like their less than. It’s important as they move forward into the workforce or whatever their journey is that they understand that’s just a temporary circumstance. It doesn’t define who they are; they will get past it, ” offers a compassionate Brown-Washington.
“It’s important for us to create an environment where they feel like they’re worthy. You know there’s nothing worse than going to a job interview and you’re looking across the lobby at someone else and like, ‘Oh, their shoes look better’ or ‘their hair looks better.’ Your whole self-esteem, your confidence … everything is just shot [down]. The important thing is if they called you for an interview you’re qualified; now you need to go sell yourself. But you can’t do that if your head isn’t in it. So it’s important for them to have their self-esteem and confidence [high] to land the job so they can provide for their families. That helps to reduce poverty and to increase self-sufficiency, and that’s the purpose of Kamileon’s Kloset,” she adds.
In the five years since their founding, Kamileon’s Kloset has served nearly 1,000 clients. In order to reach their clients, they partner with United Way, social service and government agencies for referrals.
Retailers typically donate their clothing overstock. Kamileon’s Kloset also accepts donations from community partners. This includes gently used, stylish, current clothing, no more than 3 years old. Donated clothes need to be clean because clients many times visit the showroom on the day of their job interviews. –yvette caslin
Join them this Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8, 2014 for their fundraiser sale, Sip ‘N Shop for Charity. They are offering new merchandise from retailers and designers sold at 80% below retail.
Friday, March 7: 9:30am – 7:00pm
Saturday, March 8: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Kamileon’s Kloset
3110 Sports Avenue
Smyrna, GA 30080
www.TheKloset.org
For more information, visit thekloset.org. Check out the showroom in the gallery below.
