SUITS FOR SUCCESS

ACTION Ohio is currently preparing to make Suits for Success available during the 2026 Leadership and Life Skills Summit for current and former foster youth. During the Summit, we will have volunteers on hand to show youth how to tie their first tie. Young people in and from foster care will be able to wear these suits for job interviews and other important life events.

In 2024 and 2025, Suits for Success were made available to foster youth throughout the state of Ohio during the Leadership and Life Skills Summit, thanks to support from:

• The Polaris Fashion Place management team, who collected over 200 men’s business professional outfits and donated them on December 22, 2023.
• The Veterans Housing Support program in Chillicothe, who had received a large donation of new suits from Men’s Wearhouse, and were unable to distribute the smaller clothing sizes because they work with adults. They donated over 100 men’s clothing items.
• Velda Hofacker provided 200 clothing items for young women. Additional clothing donations were provided by caring community members.
• Here’s a link to photos of Suit sorting and transport in 2024 and 2025.

For those who are interested in donating to Suits for Success:

• The population we serve is current and foster youth, ages 14-24 years old.
• Please contact lisa@fosteractionohio.org with inquiries.
• Donations accepted include hangers, racks and financial donations to support the cost of transporting the suits, rack rental and purchasing supplemental clothing items to support the needs of young people at the annual statewide conference for current and former foster youth.

We welcome, and deeply appreciate fiscal sponsors.  

Donations can be sent to our fiscal agent:
Ohio Children’s Alliance
Attn: ACTION Ohio
2600 Corporate Exchange Drive, Suite 180
Columbus OH 43231

Ohio Children’s Alliance’s Federal Tax ID #: 34-1168205

HISTORY OF THIS INITIATIVE

Suits for Success provides professional attire to current and former foster youth who are preparing to enter the workforce. This program was established in 2011 by the Ohio State Bar Foundation and Ohio foster care alumni, with support from other valued organizations such as ODJFS and the United Methodist Children’s Home. There was a hiatus between 2017-2019, due to lack of storage space. We are deeply grateful to the Ohio Children’s Alliance, Buckeye Ranch and Jaye Turner of El’lesun for their behind-the-scenes support. Those who donate clothing can receive a receipt if desired.