The DC TANF Employment Program—operated by KRA for the Department of Human Services—recently adopted a new dress code: On Wednesdays and Fridays, staff are actually encouraged to don “casual business attire” and to donate $5 for each day of participation.
The idea came from Career Agent Gay Twyman, who also suggested the first beneficiary of the donations. “Considering how cold it’s been in DC, we thought it would be appropriate to buy blankets and donate them to an organization that assists and advocates for the homeless.
I contacted the Director of Operations for the Coalition for the Homeless, who was eager to accept our contribution! With February’s staff donations, we were able to donate 40 blankets to the Coalition. KRA/DC plans to support a community service activity or agency, at least bi-monthly, and we already have a ‘March Madness’ project.
Statistically, one out of every 45 children—1.6 million—is homeless! Job Developer Chris Vera, who developed a passion for basketball in college, proposed that KRA/DC also support the youth who may be recipients of the Coalition’s Services for Homeless Families with Children Program. So, with our March ‘casual-business attire’ funds, we will buy as many basketballs as we can to donate to the Coalition.”