In honor of Veterans Day, St. Anthony's turned a portion of its Golden Gate headquarters into a free full-service menswear shop for local veterans yesterday morning.
More than 30 homeless or formerly homeless military veterans popped in to try on and take home full suits donated by Men's Warehouse and community members, as well as shiny new dress shoes provided by Mid-Market neighbor Dolby Laboratories. With the help of image consultants, the gentlemen perused racks of dress shirts, pants and jackets and tables full of ties, belts, dress shoes and socks to assemble the perfect look.
Photo: Brittany Hopkins/Hoodline
But squaring away crisp new outfits was just the first step. Participants received free hair cuts in the nonprofit's makeshift salon, head shots they can use on their LinkedIn profiles, as well as overviews of the computer literacy and job search services offered in the Tech Lab upstairs.
"I'm ready for an interview now," exclaimed army veteran Nixon Matignos as he emerged from the dressing room and turned in the mirror to examine every inch of his slate gray three-piece suit. "Put me in front of the CEO. I'll take his job."
A St. Anthony's volunteer helps Matignos with his tie before he checks out his suit in the mirror. (Photo: Taylor Skillin/St. Anthony's)
Matignos, a San Francisco native living in the Bayview, said this is his first suit. And while most dread job interviews, he was rearing to go, certain that with this suit and his experience, snagging a management job at a local company was possible.
A new headshot for Matignos. (Photo: Taylor Skillin/St. Anthony’s)
While this event happens just once a year, Jessie Brierley, a communications associate at St. Anthony's, said the organization supports local veterans on a daily basis. About 15 percent of their Dining Room visitors are veterans and about 40 percent of that population is homeless. To help keep their homeless guests warm, dry and safe, the nonprofit is always seeking new and gently-used clothing — especially socks.
The good news, as the Chronicle reports, is that many Bay Area counties, including San Francisco, are on track to house all homeless veterans seeking help by the beginning of next year.
