Craig’s Closet provides high school boys in the Pittsburgh area with free dress clothes for interviews, internships, banquets, and more. Young men can “shop” for clothes that will help them achieve their goals – we don’t want a lack of access to a suit or a dress shirt to stop someone from pursuing their dreams.
If you are interested in volunteering or signing up for a fitting, email us at nwilliams@theheywardhouse.org.
In 1984, Cam’s father, Craig Heyward, arrived at the University of Pittsburgh eagerly anticipating playing for the Pitt Panther football team. He came from a single-parent home with six siblings, and the necessities of life where hard to come by. The idea of having a vast wardrobe – one that would allow him to wear the required formal clothes on all game days – didn’t seem likely. In fact, Craig came to Pitt with exactly one suit to his name, and he would switch shirts, ties, and belts to change the look of that one suit.
Many young people in the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas face the same plight as Craig. They have enough to worry about when it comes to getting enough to eat, buying school supplies, and obtaining sports equipment that having a suit, tie, belt, or dress shoes doesn’t seem in the realm of possibility.
The Heyward House and Sport Clips want to make sure that young men in the Pittsburgh area have access to what they need to obtain their goals. We want to teach these young men that when you look good, you feel good. We want to raise their level of confidence and sense of self. They will be able to walk proudly into banquets, job interviews, internships, or formal events with their heads held high.
We’re just trying to prepare these kids for the future, helping out any way,” said Heyward. “Whether it’s taking your girlfriend out for a nice dinner and you just want to show her how you present yourself. Or if you are getting ready for a job and you understand you want to look sharp and present yourself well, this is your opportunity.
If you would like to help organize, steam, or assist at fittings, please contact nwilliams@theheywardhouse.org for more information.
