Michael Shea Holton, Alex Gordon & James BrashearsBy Jessica Thomas

Helping homeless men dress for success and find jobs is the goal of Corporate Code, a nonprofit founded by James Brashears in 2008.

From 2000 to 2003, Brashears, 31, was a volunteer at various Washington, D.C., charities where he saw this need was not being met for homeless men trying to become independent and part of the workforce. So after he spent three years in D.C. in the marketing and the mortgage business, Brashears moved to Atlanta and started Corporate Code.

“We strive to ease the transition from unemployment to gainful employment by building self-esteem and confidence to empower men to become self-sustaining individuals and contributing members of our community,” Brashears said.

The organization also provides men with the necessary resources and ongoing support services that are vital in helping them succeed in the workplace. Corporate Code holds monthly seminars that focus on issues that increase job retention and promotion, including financial planning/budgeting, time management, conflict resolution, stress management and effective communication.

Brashears said he believes that helping homeless men and founding Corporate Code was a “calling.”

“Helping these men discover their self-worth really stuck with me,” he said.

For more information, visit www.corporatecodeatl.org.

Collin Kelley is the executive editor of Atlanta Intown, Georgia Voice, and the Rough Draft newsletter. He has been a journalist for nearly four decades and is also an award-winning poet and novelist.