Dressing 130 young men for success: ‘Project Pinstripe’ Plans event March 28 at Youthville Det

March 18, 2015 - PRLog -- As the time for graduation and summer job interviews grows near, approximately 130 young Detroit men – graduating high school seniors – will be getting the attire they need, and some valuable career advice to make a good impression – all for free.

It’s all happening as the result of Project Pinstripe, a collaborative project first launched here in 2007, and supported by custom clothier Tom James Company (http://www.tomjames.com/), the Detroit A.M. Rotary Club (http://www.facebook.com/detroitrotary), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity– Gamma Lambda Chapter, and Don Bosco Hall/Youthville Detroit (http://www.donboscohall.org/). This year’s day-long event takes place Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Don Bosco Hall, 7375 Woodward Ave., Detroit.

Project Pinstripe outfits young men who want to look good but don’t always have the means to do so with quality career clothing – gently used suits, dress shirts, and ties - donated by Tom James Company clients and other area professionals. Rotarians and Tom James haberdashers volunteer their time to sort and display the clothing to create an atmosphere similar to a fine men’s store. The haberdashers work with each Project Pinstripe participant to select an outfit, measure each young man, and provide on-the-spot tailoring.

Project Pinstripe participants are attracted to the event as a result of outreach efforts to Detroit public and charter schools by both Don Bosco Hall/Youthville Detroit and Project Pinstripe Coordinator Rob Wachler, a haberdasher for Tom James Company.

The day’s events include presentations and workshops on goal-setting, proper etiquette, and a series of mock job interviews, presented by the members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity – Gamma Lambda Chapter of Detroit.

“Our objective is to work with these young men, in this important stage of life, to build confidence, self-esteem, and how to dress for success,” said Wachler. “I’ve been moved by the level of engagement and gratitude on the part of the students, by the outpouring of donor support, both from local partnerships and from our local Tom James clientele, who have repeatedly cleaned their closets in order to help our cause.” Wachler also credits the volunteer efforts of the Detroit A.M. Rotarians, Alpha Phi Alpha, and the Detroit-based Tom James haberdashers.

As a result of increased participation in this event, Wachler says donations to Project Pinstripe are welcome and sponsorships are still available. For more information, please contact Wachler at (248) 763-0170, or via e-mail at r.wachler@tomjames.com

About Tom James Company

Tom James Company, Inc. manufactures and retails custom clothing. It offers business, casual, social, and formal apparel for men and women. The company’s products and services include custom suits and shirts; bespoke tailoring; ready-to-wear clothing, including suits, sport coats, shirts, trousers, sportswear, outerwear, formalwear, and women’s wear; and accessories, such as ties and pocket squares, shoes, belts and braces, socks and undergarments, cufflinks and tie bars, scarves and gloves, leather goods, wardrobe care products, and bags and cases. Tom James Company, Inc. was founded in 1966 and is based in Franklin, Tennessee. It has locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. To learn more, please visit www.tomjames.com

About the Detroit A.M. Rotary Club

The Rotary Club of Detroit A.M. is an informal group of Rotarians that likes to get a start on the weekend with the Four Way Test, a great breakfast, and fellowship. The club is committed to the youth of Detroit, but also to the mission of Rotary International. Small but active, the “A.M.” Rotary is involved in one service project nearly every month, and a few fun activities for club members and friends throughout the year. The club has collaborated with other Rotary clubs in Super District 6400 to win the first Rotary International grant for our literacy campaign, and also sponsors high school students for the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. The club believes that when a group of well-intentioned, successful people get together for a meal, they can make a difference in their community and the world. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/detroitrotary .

About Alpha Phi Alpha

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for communities and has been doing so since December 4^th 1906. Today the fraternity caries these ideals forth through national programs like Go–To–High School, Go–To–College, Project Alpha (which teaches young men how to conduct themselves in society, A Vote-less People Is A Hopeless People, Brother's Keeper (male mentoring program). Locally Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. works these initiatives and more through its Detroit chapter Gamma Lambda, whose President is Burke Gaddis. Gamma Lambda is also the chapter that National President Mark Tillman calls home. Gamma Lambda is the third oldest alumni chapter in the fraternity’s history and boast a number of prominent Detroiters including former Mayor Dennis Archer.

About Don Bosco Hall / Youthville Detroit

Don Bosco Hall / Youthville Detroit is a youth development center (not just a recreational facility) based on the belief that young people need a safe space, responsible, caring adults engaged in their lives, to be intentionally involved in their own development, with broad supports and opportunities. Youthville Detroit is more than a youth center. It is a concept, a new approach to developing youth and enhancing their well-being. Learn more at www.donboscohall.org .