Another Good Deed from the Registry

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell recently donated a car load of smart casual clothing and business attire totaling more than 150 articles of clothing to Father Bill’s & MainSpring of Quincy and Brockton through the “Suits for Success” program.

“The Suits for Success’ Program and Father Bill’s & MainSpring share a common goal, which is to provide individuals who are struggling with homelessness or are at risk of homelessness with the opportunity to succeed and find independence,” remarked Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell. “We’re happy to assist Father Bill’s & MainSpring with this clothing donation.”

The "Suits for Success" program, developed by Register William O’Donnell in partnership with several local charities, collects donations of suitable clothing to be distributed to groups like Father Bill’s & MainSpring of Quincy and Brockton to individuals who may need appropriate attire for employment interviews.

“Donations like these go directly to the people we serve, and the impact is immediate. When someone is working hard to get back on their feet, every barrier removed matters. Our Career Closet gives participants access to professional clothing they might not otherwise afford, so they can walk into an interview looking and feeling prepared. It is one less thing standing between them and an opportunity. For us, that is everything.,” said Cassandra Brown Job Developer at Father Bill’s & MainSpring.

With locations in Quincy and Brockton Father Bill’s & MainSpring’s mission is to end and prevent homelessness in Southern Massachusetts with programs that provide emergency and permanent housing and help people obtain skills, jobs, housing, and services. We help people who are struggling with homelessness, or are at risk of homelessness, achieve self-sufficiency.

“Confidence is everything in an interview. When you feel like you look the part, you carry yourself differently. You make eye contact. You speak up. You believe that you belong in the room. For someone who has been through a difficult season — job loss, housing instability, personal hardship that feeling of being put-together is not small. It is a signal to themselves that they are ready. That they are worthy of this opportunity. We see the shift happen right in front of us when someone tries something on, and it fits. It is one of the most rewarding parts of this work,” said Brown.

Since the Registry started the “Suits for Success” program in February 2009, it has collected more than 13,500 articles of clothing.

“I am proud that the “Suits for Success” program and its partnership with numerous local community support organizations have been able to provide support for so many,” said Register O’Donnell. “It is rewarding just to help others in our community who are less fortunate.”

The “Suits for Success” program, developed by Register O’Donnell, partners with groups like Interfaith Social Services of Quincy, Father Bill’s & MainSpring of Quincy, the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System Voluntary Service Program, Circle of Hope in Needham, United Parish’s Thrifty Threads, Suits and Smiles in Jamaica Plain, and InnerCity Weightlifting on our ‘Suits for Success’ program to assist those who are in need of clothing as well as household items. The mission of “Suits for Success” is to collect donations of suitable clothing to be distributed to individuals who may need appropriate attire for employment interviews.

“I thank all the individuals throughout Norfolk County and beyond who donated to our ‘Suits for Success’ program because during the past decade, we have learned that programs like ‘Suits for Success’ work," said Register O’Donnell. “Professional attire is not just clothing, it is a valuable resource and represents an opportunity that can aid individuals on the path to success and ultimately help them achieve self-sufficiency.”

To learn more about Registry of Deed’s events and initiatives, like us on Facebook® at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on X/Twitter® at twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram® at Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.