Derrick
J. –
Drugs, crime and abandonment surrounded Derrick as a child. Unable to escape
his external influences, he found himself incarcerated for bank robbery. Upon
his release in 2004, Derrick re-entered his community with only $14 and the clothes
on his back.
Determined to change, Derrick sought help at a workforce program and later was
referred to Career Gear. He was given a suit, interview coaching and support
while he searched for employment. “I had not felt such confidence in a
long time; it made me remember the times when I dressed better,” he said.
Derrick landed the job and continues to participate in Career Gear’s alumni
program. For Derrick, the future is brighter.
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New York, NY
- Dallas, TX
- Houston, TX
- Miami, FL
- New Haven, CT
- Washington, DC
How Career Gear Works
While providing critical business attire, interview counseling, and job retention services, Career Gear does NOT offer job training or placement services. In addition, Career Gear does NOT accept walk-ins. Each participant must have completed a job-training program and referred by that organization for business attire.
Becoming A referral Partner
If your organization provides job training and is interested in becoming a referring partner, all relevant information on how to do so can be accessed here on the website. Please review the information first before calling with questions.
BECOMING AN AFFILIATE
In recent years, Career Gear has expanded its operations into key cities across the United States. We've recently expanded into Boston, Dallas, New Haven, and Washington, D.C. We are always looking to expand into other key markets where underserved and unemployed men can be found, and are in need of the services we provide.
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Career Gear 2009 Report
For the past decade, Career Gear, a national non-profit, has provided 22,830 economically disadvantaged men seeking to enter the labor market with the necessary tools, skills and attire to compete in today’s marketplace. Working in partnership with New York City’s job-training and placement providers, Career Gear provides low-income men with proven outcome-based programming that increases their chances of getting jobs, retaining employment, and moving from poverty to self-sufficiency.
Career Gear programming includes a Professional Development Series (PDS). The PDS concentrates efforts on three core areas: a) workforce development, b) financial literacy, and c) personal development. This ensures that participants are staying competitive in the workforce, are able to hold jobs, are able to save money and are personally meeting their responsibilities as community and family members.
During these difficult economic times, Career Gear has played a key role in helping men improve their self esteem, workplace skills and life skills so that they can get and keep jobs. As a non-profit that is committed to results, Career Gear conducts periodic evaluations to measure the individual outcomes of our program. The improvements our clients make also tap into issues that are part of the national discussion on personal responsibility and meeting ones obligations. We are pleased to share with you our key accomplishments in 2009.
Career Gear’s Client Capacity Growth:
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2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
TOTAL CLIENTS SERVED IN NYC |
2,018 |
1,445 |
1,137 |
TOTAL PDS GRADUATES NYC |
139 |
115 |
102 |
PARTNER REFERRAL AGENCIES |
98 |
60 |
58 |
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At a time when unemployment statistics are reaching record levels and city and state budgets are being slashed, Career Gear has provided vital services to 40 % more economically disadvantaged men then in 2008. Moreover, we have enrolled 17% more men in our PDS program which was expanded to include more personalized workshops on poverty issues so that our clients can build their own safety nets to protect themselves and their families. Our tracking does not end when a client is employed, we continue to track the men enrolled in our PDS program bi-annually for 2 years and then annually thereafter. So our statistics show that, in spite of the harsh employment climate our PDS clients continue to find successes on their road to self sufficiency.
We are thrilled to share our latest 2009 statistics:
- Employment: 61% of new members are employed, 83% at 6 months
- Permanent Positions: 38% of new members, 59% at 6 months
- Receiving Annual Salary: 14% of new members, 34% at 6 months
- Receiving Public Assistance: Decreases from 51% new, 34% at 6 months
- Promotions: 2% new members, 17% at 6 months
- Raises: 3% new members, 34% at 6 months
- Participants identifying Goals: 0% New, 36% 6 month and 54% after one year
Our referral partners, who include training and placement agencies and one stop centers, report at best a 60% employment rate. After 6 months of Career Gear programming that numbers jumps significantly to 83%!
Client Testimonial:
“I went to the workshop and I was impressed with the way the facilitators ran the groups, how they expressed genuine care for us and how they are so willing to help. I said to myself this is what I need to help me with my new job and with life skills such as financial planning, stress management and my personal favorite, bio-night.
Career Gear has helped me with job retention and is continuing to help me with any obstacles that pop up in my every day life. I am grateful to Career Gear and the staff, I am glad that there is a place like this that men like me or similar to me and my experiences can come and receive guidance, support and help that we desperately need.”
- James J.
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