Jerri Rosen remembers the decades she has spent working to empower and remove others. She died on Wednesday May 14 at 79.
Thirty-five years ago, Rosen founded Working Wardrobes, a non-profit organization dedicated to giving people affected by domestic violence, homelessness, drug addiction, imprisonment and many other obstacles to clothes and tools to find a job and resume stability in their lives. She has spent more than 30 years as CEO of the organization.
In 1990, Rosen and a group of five friends organized a day of self -esteem to help victims of domestic violence. “We did not know that the emotions generated from this unique event would evolve in 35 years,” said Joann Hilton, for this initial event. “His dynamic personality and leadership made everyone want to be part of his team. She was magic. “
This effort has increased an operation in progress which, to date, will have helped 135,000 women and men to obtain a job. With a budget of $ 8 million, the organization now has 2,000 volunteers and 40 -year -old staff.
“Jerri was a force of nature in a very small package,” said Bonnie Pomush, who resumed the role of CEO of Rosen in 2021. “She was not afraid to try to change the world for the best, and she absolutely succeeded.”
What led Rosen, “said Pomush, was” a person’s power to be able to make a difference.
“She saw this in herself, but she saw her more in her human companions, and she deeply knew that if you could offer a hand to empower a person, the world would be their oyster.”
The work cabinets offer professional outfit – some 500,000 clothes are given each year – and workshops and other career services. He has a donation center in Irvine, a career center in Santa Ana and four thrift stores – the hand points of Costa Mesa and Garden Grove, and the hanger shops in Laguna Niguel and Tastin. The group also works with military soldiers in transition to civilian life and helps their spouses who are preparing for new careers.
The non -profit organization now serves customers in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino, in partnership with dozens of social services, shelters and other organizations.
It was a year after his retirement that Rosen received a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, said Pomush.
“She courageously fought, courageously and decisive for more than two years,” said Pomush. “In December, cancer was remotely, but it came back and decided not to continue treatment.”
Even after his retirement and throughout his treatment, Rosen, who is and was synonymous with wardrobes, remained in contact and was aware of the continuous work of the organization to enrich people’s lives.
“It was the work summit of his life to create this organization and invite the power of each person to contribute to this mission,” said Pomush.
“In the County of Orange fabric, there is a common thread that often goes to the working cabinets,” she added. “The power of a person who makes a difference is catalyzed here every day. Jerri was very aware of what they started and how the Ripple effect is infinite.”
Previously, retired from the hotel industry, about six years ago, Phyllis Mitchell, from Rancho Mission Viejo, realized that financially, she had to continue working. She got involved in a wardrobe program that helps the elderly and ended up getting a job on the staff of the non-profit association.
“It really changed my life and helped me acquire new skills,” she said. “It helped me improve.”
She also interacted with Rosen, whom she described as support and a mentor.
“She put me at ease,” said Mitchel. “She made me feel that I was in the right place.”
After his retirement, Rosen embarked on work on his book: “Fire pants and skirts: the history of work cupboards”.
“I talk a lot about the heroes who have helped me do so much over the years. And there are lessons that people can learn,” said Rosen in an interview in 2021. “I do not suggest that people create a non -profit organization; There are far too many in our world today. It’s really about getting involved in something that makes your heart move. ”
Sam Dawson worked on the last modification of Rosen’s book, which, according to her, is “entirely Jerri’s voice”. The two met 25 years ago.
Rosen was so charming that it was difficult to say no to him about anything, said Dawson, in particular by helping to produce a program on the work cabinets after Rosen received a call from a community television channel Garden Grove. The show lasted nine years.
“You do not think that people watch this kind of television, but wherever we go, people point to Jerri and said,” You are the lady on TV, “said Dawson, a resident of Laguna Beach.” He was very useful for obtaining donations for both clothes and finances, which she needed. “
Including after a fire destroyed the headquarters of the work cabinets in 2020.
“The Orange County community has rallied around Jerri so quickly,” said Dawson. “Nicole Suydam, CEO of Goodwill, called Jerri that night and said:” We have space for you “. They were operational the next day.
“The community around him, everyone loved and loved Jerri,” said Dawson, who counts Rosen as one of his best friends.
“To meet her is to love her,” said Dawson. “She has always been a person of the people, she always had time for you, she just had a glow about her, and you said,” I want to be in her presence and help her do what she does. “”
Jana Turner, from Scottsdale, AZ, also said that she had quickly established a friendship with Rosen after meeting her several years ago. Rosen had asked Turner to join her board of directors, but Turner said that she had chosen to be friends in place and to “advise” from afar.
“We just struck and have become about best friends,” she said. “It is interesting for anyone today to have a best friend late in life. She was about fifty, and I was in mid-four. Jerri always made you feel that you were the center of attention and focused on what you had to say. She had such a thoughtful and empathetic message to you. Her sense of humor was crazy.”
The two have traveled the world, said Turner, adding some of Rosen’s favorite places included Israel and Egypt.
During their trip to Israel, Turner said that Rosen, who was Jewish, was categorical about the search for a tallit shawl.
“When she found it, she cried,” said Turner, describing the garment like cream and orange and fabulous air on her friend.
Rosen was also impatient to find a special tea set, which Turner said that he finally found in Morocco. “We went to three countries for this tea set.”
“She was still curious and wanted to extend her educational base,” added Turner. “I learned a lot during these trips with her.”
Rosen moved from Irvine to the community of Reata Glen to Rancho Mission Viejo in 2022, and there, Turner said that Rosen, who had been married twice, found love with Harvey Kaufman, who lived in the same community.
Even from him, said Turner, Rosen tried to hide how extreme his illness was so that the two could enjoy quality time together.
A month ago, when Turner said she recognized that the end of Rosen was near, the two spent four days at San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara.
“It was like” Fake Till You’s It “for her”, remembers Turner, adding that even if she knew that Rosen was suffering, Rosen did her best to hide it because she didn’t want to remove anything from the experience. “She always had a voice and always looked so perfect.”
“I call it a life of love,” said Turner. “She loved life and she liked to help people, she just did it.”
A celebration of life should be planned for Rosen in June.
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