This Cause Connector project will allow the Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center to create and sustain a professional clothing closet, which will provide 8th-12th grade students with free access to professional clothing to utilize for interviews or internships that require professional attire. The project will benefit students across ten school districts in Athens, Meigs, Perry, and Vinton counties.

The professional clothing closet will help students develop the confidence and influence to gain experiences that make them more likely to secure work after graduation.

Many of Appalachian Ohio’s young people face the challenges of generational poverty. A lack of access to professional attire is one example among many barriers that make it difficult for young people to overcome this cycle.

By providing youth access to professional attire, this project helps our region’s young people access more opportunities they need to succeed. Ultimately, projects like this one benefit the future families of our region and strengthen whole communities.