Working Wardrobes’ Career Success Center was filled with inspiration this Veterans Day as we gathered to honor those who have bravely served our country. In a moving ceremony, Girl Scouts presented the Colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance to a room packed with past and present Servicemembers, clients, supporters, elected officials, and ChangeMakers.
Renowned speaker and author Jill Schulman delivered a keynote on the science of bravery, reminding us that true achievement often lies just beyond life’s obstacles—a powerful message for this audience. Jill, a USMC Veteran and positive psychology expert, encouraged each attendee to reflect on their greatest accomplishments. Achievements are rarely easy, she noted, but doing hard things builds resilience and strength, both in mind and spirit. Just like the body, the brain grows stronger with practice and determination, and the benefits of a brave mindset are profound.
Costa Mesa Councilmember Don Harper also shared words of impact, emphasizing that his motivation for public service is to create meaningful change. Noting that many public servants echo this commitment, he challenged them to join him in supporting causes like Working Wardrobes by donating their salaries. Then, demonstrating his dedication, he presented a $50,000 check to help Working Wardrobes reach more job seekers on their journeys to achieve meaningful employment.
We were honored to welcome Army National Guard Veteran Lisa Diggs, who has dedicated her life to service. A former Census worker and volunteer for Veterans organizations, Lisa came to Working Wardrobes seeking a fresh start after the pandemic made her previous work impossible. Through our services—résumé support, interview prep, and a new suit—she launched a new career path, returned to school for her Master’s degree, and continues to advocate for Veterans through her volunteer work.
Also in attendance was Army Veteran Jim Calko, whose perseverance and leadership took him to the rank of Battalion Maintenance Officer. After a distinguished career in both the military and civilian worlds, Jim currently serves The Gunter Group as a Principal Consultant while also actively volunteering with Working Wardrobes. He coaches clients, helps update their résumés, LinkedIn profiles and networking, and targeted job search strategies. Jim even helps foster a strengths-based culture among the team of ChangeMakers by providing training, coaching and assessments to the staff.
Veterans Day celebrations concluded with a touching ceremony honoring Lisa and Jim. Together, Jill and Don presented each of them with a Quilt of Valor® as a symbol of gratitude for their service and sacrifice. It was a privilege to celebrate these Veterans, our clients, volunteers, and staff members, as we continue to support people of all backgrounds and experiences in overcoming barriers and achieving gainful employment.
You too can help people overcome barriers on their employment journeys. Before the calendar (and tax) year ends, you can be a hero by making a financial contribution: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/WorkingWardrobes/GivingTuesday