Making A Difference : Alison Vaughn

In the very near future, Alison Vaughn, President/CEO of Jackets for Jobs, will be boarding a plane on the way to Dubai. She will be participating in the World Islamic Forum.

Alison was invited due to her success as a women entrepreneur.

Recommended Videos



When asked how she thought when got selected she says causally: “Well I'm not really sure, but maybe it is because I was featured in Forbes Magazine in an article titled The Rise of Women." 

In 2000, she had an idea to provide cloths for women who were looking for jobs but could not afford to buy them. She reached to volunteers willing to donate cloths.

Vaughn's operation was originally housed in small room at Historic Little Rock Baptist Church provided by Pastor Jim Holley. Then it grew out into the hallway. She has since expanded into two locations, Samaritan Center on the eastside and the Henry Ford  Building at Outer Drive and the Southfield Freeway.

Alison now serves women and men, with special emphasis on veterans. She has four staff persons, including her mother Betty Henderson, who serves as the organization's director of training and image consultant. 

Jackets for Jobs, Inc., is a Michigan WORKS affiliate and serves as a partner with Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation.  DESC provides training, skills development and employment opportunities. T.J. Max is their major clothing contributor, providing new clothes to her locations.

Vaughn distributes new clothes, with the tags still on them. T.J. Max has also renovated their locations, with first class show rooms. They have provided more than $1.4 million in services to Jackets for Jobs. Clients must be referred through an array of workforce development partners.

Due to her success she was invited to travel to Botswana, where she is opening of a branch.

Alison and Jackets for Jobs has served more than 15,000 clients.

"This is a vision from the Lord," she said. "I am living a dream of service."

 

On a daily basis in spite of ones life's struggles and challenges, there are some people who reach out an make a positive impact on the lives of others.

 That is why Local 4 and a prominent local clergyman, Rev. V. Lonnie Peek, Jr. have teamed up to find those people and tell their stories.

Do you know an everyday hero in your life? E-mail us and tell us about them.

About Rev. Lonnie Peek, Jr.

Rev. V. Lonnie Peek, Jr. located in Detroit in 1975. After teaching 2 years in DPS, he went to WSU receiving a Masters of Social Work, an activist on campus he created the Association of Black Students. He is an entrepreneur and serves on such civic boards as New Detroit, Inc, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. With extensive radio background expanding 25 years, he writes a weekly column for the Michigan Chronicle. He has been a regular on local/ national television shows dealing with political and social issues An ordained minister and seminary graduate, he serves on the executive committee and is the public relations chairman for the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity and is Assistant Pastor at Greater Christ Baptist Church.