Career Gear is a national non-profit organization that builds strong families and communities by empowering low-income men to overcome barriers and achieve self-sufficiency. We promote the economic independence of low-income men by providing financial literacy training, a network of support, professional attire, career development tools, job-readiness and essential life-skills training that help men enter the workforce, stay employed and become role models and mentors to their families and communities.The Houston affiliate was formed in 2004 after realizing that men were receiving little to no resources to secure interview appropriate attire and job readiness training as they prepared for upcoming job fairs and interviews. After a meeting with Gary Field, national founder and executive director, Career Gear Houston was launched. With additional support of the Houston community including a private donation of $10k and 200 new Brooks Brothers suits Career Gear Houston opened its doors and began serving the needs of men striving to provide for their families. Today providing suits for a job interview is just the first step. Career Gear has grown into a multidimensional nonprofit serving the needs of its participants through three distinct and congruent programs: The Job Readiness Program, The Professional Development Series and Mission Possible Veterans Transitional Series, a mentoring program.Career Gear continues to work in partnership with job-training programs and community based organizations to provide low cost, high impact solutions that complement community based organizations. It is because of our mission- old and new- that we have helped over 40,000 men who are low income move from poverty to self-sufficiency.
