Donated Suits Help Young Men Succeed In Coachella Valley
December 19, 2023 | Patch
For many growing up in the Coachella Valley, owning a suit can be daunting and unattainable.
COACHELLA, CA — Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella, and OneFuture Coachella Valley are set to distribute suits Wednesday for students in the Gents Alliance Program.
“Too often, a lack of professional attire is a barrier to educational and career opportunities,” Garcia said in a statement. “For many growing up in our community, owning a suit can be daunting and unattainable.”
The distribution will get underway at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Garcia’s office at 48220 Jackson St., Suite A3.
OneFuture Coachella Valley’s Gents Alliance Program engages local business, educational and civic partners in an effort to develop services and align resources for greater college success rates among men, Garcia said. It was developed to help improve college access and completion rates of men in the local area.
New and gently used suits have been collected by Garcia’s offices over the past few months along with professional accessories. The attire is aimed to support youth and young men in Imperial County and the Coachella Valley.
“Unfortunately, some of our students don’t have the resources to purchase the needed attire for their transitions into the workforce,” OneFuture Coachella Valley Vice President of College Success Ernie Rios said in a statement. “The donated suits will help male high school and college students with the needed internship and interview wear.”
The Gents Alliance Program was established in 2015 and is currently active at several local high schools and College of the Desert, according to OneFuture officials.