The Kiwanis Club of Evanston, the consignment shop Stepping Out on Faith and Hilda’s Place are working together to make sure that clients finding new jobs look professional.
The Kiwanis Club annually serves a dinner to residents of Hilda’s Place, a program of Connections for the Homeless based at the Lake Street Church in Evanston.
The organizer of the dinner, Dr. Scot Hopff, wanted to make the experience a little more meaningful this year.
A call to Lisa Todd , volunteer manager for Connections for the Homeless, indicated that several clients had secured temporary/transitional jobs.
They were excited by the prospect of reentering the working world but dismayed by the thought of coming up with a work site wardrobe.
Kiwanis, working with Vivian Killebrew of Stepping Out on Faith, presented the store with a check for $500 which can be used by the Hilda’s Place residents to outfit them for their new assignments.
Killebrew’s late husband, Ron, was a Kiwanian and the club knew of her efforts to develop a business in Evanston.
“There’s a real sense of community in this project,” said Todd. “And our clients, who are understandably somewhat anxious, have one less job-related worry…they will look good,” she added.
And yes, the clients also had a bountiful dinner, too!
Above: Vivian Killebrew, owner of Stepping Out on Faith, and store manager Krystal Lewis with the $500 check presented the Kiwanis Club of Evanston to purchase clothing for residents of Hilda’s Place.