Dozens of high school men get new suits and new outlooks on life

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Dozens of young men got brand news suits today and some really great life lessons in the process. The Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa (CDC) held its third annual ‘Suit up and Show up’ event. About 80 high school men from around Hillsborough County attended.

Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward was among the many speakers who talked to the group about making sound choices. Then each of them was measured for and picked out a new suit, shirt, tie and shoes, at no charge.

Earnest Coney, Jr., President and CEO of the CDC Tampa, said, “We want to set these young men up for success.”

“In years past when we have done this event, we have seen immediate changes in their attitudes and demeanor when they put their suit on,” he added. “It’s powerful and we’re excited to be offering this opportunity again this year.”

The goal of the event is make the young men think differently about their choices. Throughout the day there were breakout sessions on goal setting, personal responsibility, entrepreneurship, and suiting up for the roles in your life.

The Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc. (CDC of Tampa) creates opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to job training and placement, affordable housing and youth programs. The CDC was incorporated in 1992 for the purpose of alleviating poverty and physical deterioration in Hillsborough County’s East Tampa community.

CDC of Tampa is a charter member of the NeighborWorks® network, consisting of 240 private nonprofit affiliates that work in nearly 4,500 urban, rural and suburban communities nationwide.OTHER TOP CLICKED STORIES PEOPLE ARE CLICKING ON:

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