Nonprofit providing free business clothes gets new space in Arlington

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Suited 4 Success has been around since 2003, and now it has a new space to empower people in Arlington to land their dream jobs.

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Alex Sifakis, Owner of JWB Properties, has donated Suite 987, located at 921 N. University Boulevard, at a rate of $1 a month for the first year.

Inside, you’ll find all kinds of business clothes and accessories, which are free to people who are fighting for a second chance. Many who seek its services are referred by outside agencies.

“We actually provide suits for men, suits and dresses for women, when they’re coming from prison, even veterans coming back into the community,” said Shara Mondy, Founder of Suits 4 Success. “We provide them a free suit of clothing so that they can all be able to go on a job interview. We also help with resumes, and we also do mock interviews and then we connect them with coaches once they get a job so they can keep a job,” she added.

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Suits 4 Success has partnered with the group Black Owned Businesses Jacksonville to further its mission, which represents Black-owned businesses in Northeast Florida and Southern Georgia.

“We have over 11,000 members in our group,” said Shawana Boyer, who founded BOBSJAX in 2015.

“BOBSJAX has been a huge resource to let the community know, number one, where we are, and also provide another outlet for us to get donors,” Mondy explained.

“You can see we have an almost-full closet now,” she said as she pointed out the packed garment racks around her. “And it’s thanks to the community and the donors and the small businesses.”

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Recently, BOBSJAX was recognized by GoFundMe for the difference it’s making in the community. BOBSJAX is currently raising money to build its website and help connect more people.

“Our community is sometimes overlooked,” said Boyer. “We provide the platform so it’s known what kind of efforts [nonprofits and businesses] provide.”

In Arlington, the efforts from Suits 4 Success aren’t just helping transform the way people dress, but how they feel.

“I have had young men come in, they kinda hold their head down, they don’t say much and they kinda, you know, kinda hesitant because they’re not really sure how the suiting is gonna go,” Mondy explained. “Once I start putting the suit on, putting the tie on, putting the shirt on, start tying the tie, they take a look in the mirror and they kinda stand tall and they start talking and opening up.”

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Mondy says she is continually grateful for the support her nonprofit has received from groups like BOBSJAX.

“You pull together, you help each other, you connect and you network so that we all can succeed,” she said.

If you would like to donate clothes, or find out how you can apply to receive clothes or career services from Suits 4 Success, you set up an appointment by reaching out online HERE.