For Immediate Release, March 08, 2024
Goodwill Columbus and Columbus Urban League Partner to Enhance My Brother’s Closet Initiative, Launch Monthly Suit Selection Days at Morse Rd. Retail Store and Donation Center
(Columbus, Ohio) — Goodwill Columbus and Columbus Urban League (CUL) have partnered to support the My Brother’s Closet (MBC) initiative by providing a specialized shopping area at Goodwill Columbus’ Morse Road retail store and donation center available monthly for eligible participants to be suited by a curated selection of new and gently-used men’s business attire.
MBC provides eligible individuals with free suits and necessary interview attire at no-cost. Individuals also receive coaching on professional appearance and interview protocol as they seek long-term employment opportunities.
The suit selection days will take place at Goodwill Columbus’ Morse Road retail store and donation center (2933 Morse Rd.) once per month. A special MBC ribbon cutting will take place on Thursday, March 14 at 10:45 a.m. to celebrate the partnership and new, specialized shopping area.
“Goodwill Columbus is thrilled to partner with the Columbus Urban League on this new home for My Brother’s Closet, a program that so closely aligns with the Goodwill mission. As we celebrate our 85th anniversary in Columbus, our thrift stores have been a second chance for more than just the items on the shelves as our stores provide both immediate employment opportunities and help support our free job training and placement services,” said Ryan D. Burgess, CEO of Goodwill Columbus. “Our Morse Road store was the perfect hub for this program based on its central location, its proximity to public transportation, and because our store manager here, Latasha Reed, is so passionate about helping her community.”
“This Columbus Urban League initiative has been a powerful boost for more than 900 men over the years, men seeking a new life as they reentered the community or sought to increase their earning power, men who wanted to inspire their families, and rebuild their confidence,” said Stephanie Hightower, President & CEO of Columbus Urban League.
Goodwill Columbus encourages customers to donate their new or gently used men’s business attire including suits, ties, socks, button-down shirts, and shoes to MBC. As of March 2024, individuals who wish to make a donation can do so by bringing them to the Goodwill retail store located on Morse Road or at the CUL offices located at 788 Mt. Vernon Ave. in Columbus.
MBC is open by appointment only through Columbus Urban League. Each shopper will receive a specialized fitting experience facilitated by CUL and Goodwill Columbus staff. Suit selection days will take place on: April 11, May 9, June 6, July 11, August 8, September 5, October 3, October 31, and December 5.
More information about CUL and My Brother’s Closet can be found at www.cul.org.
ABOUT GOODWILL COLUMBUS
Goodwill Columbus is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has served the Central Ohio community for nearly 85 years. With more than 1,000 employees, Goodwill Columbus is one of the region’s largest job providers employing individuals with diverse backgrounds. Goodwill Columbus has 12 retail stores, a last chance outlet, an ecommerce facility, 8 attended donation centers, 5 I/DD service locations, and free job training services at The South Front Street Job Training Center, The Jerry Hammond Center, The Reeb Center, and 14 Columbus Metropolitan Library locations. The organization is a proud member of Goodwill Industries International, a network of over 150 community-based organizations throughout the United States and Canada that sell donated goods to create job opportunities and training in local communities.
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Media Contact: Audrey Adair, Irvin PR
(614) 570-0111, [email protected]