Bank supporting programs to help jobseekers in Orange County, California

From micro-internships to major fundraising support, U.S. Bank helps workforce development nonprofits to grow and thrive

As part of the U.S. Bank Community Possible work pillar, U.S. Bank and the U.S. Bank Foundation are supporting two Orange County, California, workforce development organizations, CEO Leadership Alliance (CLAOC) and Working Wardrobes.

Micro-internships making a major impact

This summer, 11 college juniors and seniors joined U.S. Bank leaders for a six-week micro-internship through the CLAOC College Career Experience program, which offers paid micro-internships to equip students with early career skills development, real-world experience and professional networking opportunities. 

Orange County-based U.S. Bank leaders from across the bank’s lines of business help mentor the students, who concluded their internships with a formal boardroom presentation on topics that included Gen Z market research, pathways to recruiting new talent, and AI in the future of banking.  

“The ideas and concepts the students came up with were incredible and had all of the U.S. Bank leaders buzzing,” said U.S. Bank executive and CLAOC board member Edward Mora. “The micro-internship program with CLAOC is a wonderful way for established professionals to mentor the next generation of local leaders, and it brings the U.S. Bank team together to do so. We were all thinking about how we can implement their wonderful ideas and hire these bright minds.” 

CLAOC focuses on addressing the talent gap and creating opportunities for college students to explore professional life. In 2025, U.S. Bank contributed $20,000 to the CLAOC College Career Experience program.

35 years of dignity through the power of a paycheck

Another player in the Orange County workforce development space is the nonprofit Working Wardrobes, founded in 1990 by longtime fashion enthusiast Jerri Rosen to help residents needing both career skills and professional outfits to ace job interviews. 

For 35 years, the nonprofit’s mission has been to help people overcome barriers to employment through personalized support to achieve their professional goals. The organization has helped more than 135,000 clients, many of whom are domestic abuse survivors, veterans, seniors, unhoused or young adults. 

U.S. Bank has fostered a longstanding relationship with Working Wardrobes and continues to facilitate its growth in many ways. Most recently, the U.S. Bank Foundation awarded a three-year, $300,000 Community Possible grant for the nonprofit’s workforce training and supportive services programming. In addition, the local U.S. Bank team has coordinated and participated in multiple volunteer events. 

Working Wardrobes accepts wardrobe donations from the community, with an emphasis on professional attire. The clothes and accessories go directly to career candidates, to The Hanger retail stores or to one of more than 150 partner organizations that distribute items to individuals in critical need of clothing. 

The three retail store locations that help generate revenue for the nonprofit include the high-end The Hanger Boutique in Laguna Niguel and The Hanger Outlets in Costa Mesa and Garden Grove. 

U.S. Bank helped establish The Hanger locations by extending team members’ expertise in running local bank branches, effectively transforming a losing line item into a revenue generator. 

U.S. Bank continues to provide customer relationship management guidance to facilitate better outreach to donors and sponsors and played a role in crafting the organization’s strategic planning initiative that is guiding it into the future. 

“I’m happy to support Working Wardrobes’ largest annual fundraising event as gala chair. It is a fabulous feeling to be able to bring financial understandings to the event’s planning process,” said U.S. Bank executive and Working Wardrobes board member Christine Ragos. “Another way I really enjoy supporting the organization is by hosting shopping parties for my friends and family at The Hanger retail stores. It is a fun fashion experience with all the proceeds benefiting the organization’s employability programming.”

Orange County-based team members are avid volunteers in the clothing donation centers and frequently provide financial literacy educational support to job-seeking clients.

“Working Wardrobes does an amazing job of breaking down barriers and working with individuals at every life stage,” said U.S. Bank Orange County community affairs manager Wendy Chau. “All of their wrap-around services are excellent, and their effective trainings help every individual gain access to the opportunities they need so they can work toward success in the workforce.”

With the support of U.S. Bank, the organization will host its 35th anniversary gala this September. Watch the video above to learn more about the philanthropic pairing.