Correspondent photo / Susan Wojnar Teen shopper Carlos Rodriguez, 13, of Youngstown, is assisted Saturday by volunteer Amanda Bertlacci as he contemplates a pair of dress shoes for homecoming during the It Suits You event, which was sponsored by the Trumbull County Family and Children First Council and Cadence Care Network Transition Age Youth Group.

WARREN — The fifth installment of “It Suits You” took place Saturday afternoon at the Trumbull Metropolitan Housing Authority and was aimed at offering new and gently used male-oriented dress attire at no cost to high school students.

The event was sponsored by the Trumbull County Family and Children First Council and Cadence Care Network Transition Age Youth Group. Suits, tuxedos, dress pants, shoes, shirts, belts, vests and hygiene kits were available.

Though the most common reason for being a “shopper” was to find clothing for homecoming, the clothing and accessories could easily be used for interviews, graduations, weddings or any event where “dressing up,” is essential.

Shoppers were lined up an hour early to gain entrance and get the best selection.

“We’ve had the event for the past two years, in the spring and fall and this is our biggest turnout yet,” said Bonnie Wilson of Champion.

A total of 62 people attended the event.

Wilson is the director of Trumbull County’s Family and Children First Council. Established in 1995, the agency aims to help families and children gain access to programs and services to improve their daily lives through a variety of programs and services, such as It Suits You.

Wilson also is the mother of a teenage son and said she knows how expensive suits, tuxedos and other dress clothes can be. She acknowledged that there are few, if any, options for teenage boys to get free or low-cost clothing in the area.

Connor Sewickly, co-organizer of the event who works with teens in the Cadence Care Network Transition Age Youth Group, agreed.

“We saw a need in the community for something that was specifically directed toward men and boys,” he said.

Cadence Care Network, based in Niles, is an outcome-focused and family centered treatment social services agency helping clients live their best possible lives.

Some of the clothing on hand was donated by Goodwill and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, but most came from private donors, many of whom are “leaders of the community,” Wilson said.

A clothing drive took place in the spring at the Cadence Care Coffee House in downtown Niles. Wilson said the response was overwhelming.

“People really reached out and said, ‘I have clothing to donate,'” she said.

Grant money was used to provide new shoes and belts.

Wilson said there is change in demeanor teens display when they step out of the dressing room with their new outfit.

“They look visibly changed. Prouder, more confident,” she said.

Dylan Wilkerson of McDonald is a Cadence Care Network therapist who co-facilitates the Transition Age Youth Group (TAY). He was on hand to help guide the TAY volunteers working the event. Wilkerson explained that TAY works with youth 14 to 24 to help connect them with resources and to develop life skills.

“A big part of what we do with youth is encourage community involvement and promote the idea of giving back to the community,” Wilkerson said.

The TAY volunteers came early to help set up the event, take measurements of shoppers to help them determine size, acted as style consultants, assisted shoppers in making selections and helped out with the dressing room area.

Kairan Sleyzak, 16, of Warren, was a TAY volunteer. He noted that the TAY program has helped him learn how to manage money and improve his social skills. Before he started helping shoppers, he did a little shopping himself and was sporting a black suit, purple shirt and black tie that he said he also would be wearing for homecoming.

Another TAY volunteer, Harley Shilling, 19 of Niles, said he was glad for the opportunity to help others “look sharp.” He also noted how being involved with TAY has improved his social skills. He said the dark blue suit, shirt and tie he got at the event would be used for interviews.

Shoes were of primary interest for shopper Carlos Rodriguez, 13 of Youngstown. He noted the great selection of clothes and accessories and said he needed the items for homecoming.

Homecoming was also on the minds of brothers Steven, 15 and Kevin Stankurb, 17, of Kinsman. They said they heard about the event on the news and their school made announcements about it.

Commenting on the quality of clothing available was volunteer event worker and HIV Prevention Coordinator with the Warren City Health District, Gerald Wolfe.

“I was looking through suits with a shopper and they picked out a designer suit by Michael Kors. They asked me if I knew who Michael Kors was. I told him, the correct answer is ‘I’ll take it,'” Wolfe said.