A big celebration Thursday to celebrate a $25,000 grant! Thanks to State Farm Insurance, the organization Sharp Dressed Man was awarded the money for its work that gives former inmates a second chance at life.
"One day I heard about the program and went down and talked to Chris and he told me I could start as a volunteer, Curtis Lewis, an employee of Sharp Dressed Man, told WMAR 2 News.
Lewis is just one of the hundreds of men Christopher Schafer has given the confidence to get back into society.
"It's very moving to see a guy give himself a second chance and that's what we do," Schafer said.
Schaffer and his organization do more than create high-quality custom suits; they make those second chances a reality for former inmates looking to get back into society.
"It's an awesome feeling to see a guy just change in front of your eyes," Schafer continued.
And that mission caught the eye of State Farm Insurance, which awarded Sharp Dressed Man a $25,000 grant through its Neighbor Assist Program.
"If you start with the people and you start with the community then it all grows better from there," said State Farm Insurance agent, Dane Spealman.
2000 applicants, whittled down to 200 and then 40; all receiving a gift that Schafer says will go a long way.
"We're not only operating in Baltimore were also operating in la and we just need it just for our overhead we're a complete volunteer-based organization so everything goes to helping the guys," said Schafer.
Schafer said he wants to grow Sharp Dressed Man nationally.
He told WMAR 2 News he's already working with tailors in other cities to bring his mission to them.
