— Detroit area men seeking employment to benefit from the 100s of suits donated by the Detroit chapter fraternity. —
Photo from L to R: Kamau C. Marable, Alison Vaughn, Founder of Jackets for Jobs, Judge Craig Strong & Burke Gaddis, president of Alpha Phi Alpha, Gamma Lambda Chapter
Detroit, MI — Ms. Alison Vaughn, founder/CEO of Jackets for Jobs, proudly partners with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Gamma Lambda Chapter, at a clothing drive held in honor of her work helping men and women in their quest to gain employment. The event was held on March 8 at the Alpha House on Detroit’s west side in the midst of Women’s Day month.
JFJ, now in its 14th year is a nationally recognized non-profit organization based in Detroit, maintains its mission providing career skills training, employment etiquette and professional clothes it receives from a number of supporters throughout the nation to provide men and women with the assistance they may need to enter or reenter the work force.
“My Brother’s Keeper” was recently launched by President Barack Obama, some believe, and is one of the most prolific initiatives of his administration. The MBK initiative is striving for a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach to build ladders of opportunity and unlock the full potential of boys and young men of color.
He notes by the time young men of color hit fourth grade, 86 percent of African American boys and 82 percent Hispanic boys are reading below proficiency levels — compared to 54 percent of white fourth graders reading below proficiency levels. Both are more than six times more likely to be victims of murder than their white peers — and account for nearly half of the country’s murder victims each year.
JFJ and APA have long been doing the work in the Detroit area that benefit men, women and kids facing tough circumstances and fully embrace the MBK concept. JFJ was brought into being from a desire to help families transition from welfare to employment.
“President Obama’s approach in targeting support for young men of color is what we have wanted for quite some time. It takes a village and a nation with the adequate tools to affect the masses, cut off the pipeline to prison and build strong, productive families, Vaughn said. “It begins and ends with our men, and I am honored to work with the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.”
The APA, with more than 700 active chapters sprinkled over the globe, embraces President Obama’s idea of creating opportunities for boys and young men of color. The more society as a whole participates in solving issues that plaque our youth, the more sustainable the nation. We have been observing the work of Ms. Vaughn for several years and wanted to support her efforts to be of service to others,” said APA Detroit president Burke Gaddis. For more information, visit www.gamma-lambda.com
JFJ has been assisting clients with employment for 14 years and has assisted 15,000 plus individuals with employment interview etiquette and professional clothes. The organization has been supported and applauded by ABC’s “The View”, NBC’s “Today Show”, the cast members from the NBC show “The Apprentice” and Oprah’s O Magazine. This JFJ is funded by Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation and is charitable arm of TJ Maxx. For more information, visit www.jacketsforjobs.org.
PRESS CONTACT:
Carmen Carter, 248-910-6527, carmen@cjcmediagroup.com
Alison Vaughn, 248-910-8291, avaughn@jacketsforjobs.org
Burke Gaddis, 313-608-5302, burke.gaddis@att.net
