Centers for New Horizons (CNH) hosted a formal dinner this month for Stage 2 READI Chicago Englewood participants.
Prior to the dinner, crew chiefs and outreach workers accompanied the participants to K&G Fashion Superstore during a professional development session to help each participant pick out two suits—one business and one casual. Staff discussed with participants appropriate attire for formal events, how to coordinate a couple of staple pieces, and how to maintain professional attire on a limited budget, as part of their professional development.
“Many of the participants had never purchased a suit before, so it was an exciting but intimidating experience for many,” said Christa Hamilton, executive director of CNH.
Participants rode in a stretch limousine to Wildfire Chicago for a four-course meal, where members of the CNH board of directors, Heartland Alliance, and several guest speakers discussed how to network. Restaurant staff gave participants a brief etiquette training, covering meal choices, formal place settings, and table manners.
“It is a priority for us to expose the participants to environments beyond what their community can offer them,” Christa said. “It was clear that the suits held power for our young men, because they stood a little taller, smiled a lot brighter, and exuded a sense of confidence that I had not seen in most over the last year.”
