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Laguna Hills recognizes Working Wardrobes on 35th anniversary; nonprofit highlights services and volunteer needs
Summary
Laguna Hills City Council presented a certificate to Working Wardrobes CEO Bonnie Pamish and heard that the nonprofit has aided more than 132,000 people since 1990, detailed veteran-program changes and requested volunteers and sponsor support for upcoming events.
The Laguna Hills City Council on March 25 presented a Certificate of Recognition to Bonnie Pamish, chief executive officer of Working Wardrobes, honoring the nonprofit’s 35 years of community workforce services.
City officials and residents heard a presentation from Pamish outlining the organization’s approach to employment services, which includes individualized career planning, styling appointments and long-term job-retention supports. “Since 1990, we have reached over 132,000 people on their employment journeys,” Pamish said during her remarks.
Pamish described how Working Wardrobes began with services for women leaving domestic violence shelters under founder Jeri Rosen and expanded to help veterans, justice-involved individuals, young people and others. She said the organization served about 7,000 people in the most recent year and partners with roughly 185 other local agencies to deliver services at no charge to clients.
Pamish also warned that changes in government contracts were affecting some programs. She told the council the organization’s veteran behavioral-health peer-support contract will end June 30, and asked the city and community to consider volunteer, in-kind, and sponsorship support. “We depend on our partnership with government agencies who can literally hire us as a vendor,” Pamish said, urging donations of clothing, gas or gift cards and time.
Council members asked about services for older adults and about partnering with the city’s Older Adults Advisory Commission; Pamish said staff-run reception functions are staffed by seniors and that the nonprofit has targeted services for older clients.
The presentation closed with an invitation to the public to attend upcoming events, including a May 20 “Power Up for Success” military-spouse event on Camp Pendleton and a gala in September, and with information on staff-brokered volunteer matching.
The council thanked Pamish and accepted the certificate of recognition. The city took no formal action beyond the recognition and the opportunity for council follow-up and community partnership.
