IRVINE, Calif.--March 7, 2013: Autobytel Inc. , the company dedicated to helping automotive consumers and dealers connect online, has been honored by California Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez for its ongoing support of Southern California non-profit, Working Wardrobes, and the company's commitment to Orange County residents in need.
“We rely heavily on corporate sponsorships and volunteers to provide local residents with a variety of career-related programs”
This marks Autobytel's third consecutive year as a Title Sponsor of Working Wardrobes, a charity that empowers men, women, veterans and young adults who are overcoming difficult challenges to confidently enter the workforce by providing professional wardrobe and grooming services, career-readiness and image workshops, and comprehensive career development services to increase confidence and success in the workplace.
Members of Autobytel, including CEO Jeffrey Coats, were on-hand this weekend at Working Wardrobes' annual prom event. The special event provides 150 at-risk high school seniors with the opportunity to attend important life development workshops and the chance to find their perfect tuxedo or dress, complete with matching shoes and accessories, all donated by community members and generous area merchants.
"Working Wardrobes does more than enhance a person's image," said Coats. "It provides career training and job placement services for tens of thousands of local residents overcoming hardships such as substance abuse, homelessness and catastrophic illness. It's incredibly meaningful to support an organization that gives people the skills and confidence they need to succeed in life."
Congresswoman Sanchez, guest speaker and presenter of the Autobytel award, told attendees of the hardships she faced as a shy and quiet young girl, growing up the daughter of immigrant parents in Southern California before becoming a successful member of Congress, a recognized authority on national security issues, and a leading voice for women in the military.
Working Wardrobes is just one of a number of charities Autobytel assists as part of its Good Works Council, an in-house committee formed in 2010 to encourage employees and members of the community to give back to those in need, to identify and help charitable organizations through sponsorships, donations and volunteers.
"We rely heavily on corporate sponsorships and volunteers to provide local residents with a variety of career-related programs," said Jerri Rosen, CEO and Founder of Working Wardrobes. "Autobytel is an instrumental part of our efforts and we're thankful for their continued support. We couldn't do it without them."
High school attendees of this weekend's event--those who demonstrate excellent school leadership and who are faced with personal and/or economic challenges--were selected as Simon Scholars by the Simon Family Foundation, and invited by counselors within the Garden Grove District and the Los Angeles nonprofit organization, Dream Girls & Distinguished Gentlemen.
"As the mother of a teenage daughter, I know just how special prom night is," said Rose Mayer, Product Manager, Dealer Operations, Autobytel Inc. and member of the Good Works Council. "I also know how something as small as a new look can change an entire outlook. I'm proud to work for a company that cares enough to make a difference in people's lives."
Visit Working Wardrobes to learn more about the charity and how you can become a sponsor or volunteer. Visit Autobytel to learn about the company's leading automotive information, products and services.
About Working Wardrobes
Working Wardrobes empowers men,
women, veterans and young adults who are overcoming life's difficult
challenges to enter the workforce with confidence and dignity. The
Costa
Mesa, California-based non-profit provides professional wardrobe and
grooming services, career-readiness and image workshops, and
comprehensive Career Development Services to increase its clients'
confidence and success in the workplace. Since 1990, Working
Wardrobes
has grown to serve nearly 55,000 men, women, young adults and
veterans
who are overcoming alcohol and substance abuse, prison re-entry,
homelessness, catastrophic illness and traumatic financial losses. It
serves CalWorks recipients, clients of social service agencies, and
individuals in 60 shelters or programs in Orange County, Los Angeles,
San Diego, Riverside and the Inland Empire. The Working Wardrobes'
social enterprise model serves as an example of sustainability to
other
organizations nationwide.