Erika’s Closet

Since 2018, Erika’s Closet has been a powerful and impactful arm of workforce and career development, born from personal lived experience and driven by a mission to uplift justice-impacted individuals and those with criminal backgrounds. What began as a passion project has grown into a trusted resource that has served hundreds of people, equipping them with the tools, skills, and confidence to succeed.

What does Erika’s Closet do?

Empowering second chances. Elevating futures.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety reported that each year, more than 22,000 prisoners are released from North Carolina’s State Prison system. As the prisoners are released back into society, they are in desperate need of programs that will help them transition back into the community. Although prisoners are a portion of the homeless population, there are many homeless men and women that need skills to be productive in society. Erika’s Closet provides programs that assist in stability.

With their recent merger to join us at Promise Resource Network, we proudly amplify our impact; together, we will shift, elevate, and uplift our community. This partnership is grounded in trust, shared goals, and a real commitment to empowering people.

What support does Erika's Closet offer?

Erika’s Closet offers peer support to help people rebuild confidence, stability, and opportunities during life transitions.

Our Mission is to be a resource to those in need that are transitioning out of incarceration, people that are homeless and fell on hard times, with the essential items necessary for daily living and the workforce.

Our Services

Workforce Development

Workforce Development is considered an interconnected set of solutions to meet employment needs. Workforce Development does not just focus on the entire community but also focuses on the individual that can increase their competency and make them a greater asset in the workforce. These workshops and trainings have benefits of workforce development because it can increase job satisfaction, improve productivity, enhance innovative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Erika’s Closet shall provide the following but not limited to:

Resume Writing
Interviewing Skills
Professional Dress Attire
Communication Skills
How to apply for a job online
Computer Skills
Conflict Resolution

Substance Use Prevention Awareness

Erika’s Closet provides substance use prevention awareness to aim at ensuring that the substance use does not occur. Through our workshops we discuss areas that may lead to using illegal drugs or causes that can make someone relapse. Our program provides workshops to educate others on ways to identify triggers and coping techniques.

We teach on the following but not limited to:

Signs and symptoms of drug use
Identify triggers that makes you want to use illegal drugs
Decreasing stressors and change the behaviors
Identify environmental factors that may lead to illegal behaviors
Utilize coping skills (relaxation, meditation, exercise, good eating habits, etc.).
Having a support system

Healthy Relationships

A healthy relationship is not just between to partner, it can be shared between any two people that love, support encourage and help each other practically as well as emotionally. To benefit from a health relationship, you must know how to develop healthy relationships with others that you must be around daily. This workshop teaches how to have a healthy relationship and how to identify when a relationship is toxic.

We shall focus on but not limited to the following

What is a healthy relationship?
What is a toxic relationship
Understanding boundaries
Effective communication & active listening skills (having a voice but able to listen and not just hear one another)
Empathy (being able to take another person’s perspective without being disrespectful)
Patience (understanding everyone patience is different levels)
Trust (being honest, loyal, and valuing the other person)

Financial Literacy

Erika’s Closet understands that to be financial stable, you must know the fundamentals of basic financial concepts to inform their real-world financial decision. Our goal is to provide knowledge to better manage their money, make sounds decisions, and maintain healthy budgeting habits to financial wellness.

We shall provide workshops on the following but not limited to:

Budgeting (creating a short-term budget)
Credit repair
How to decrease debt
Understanding debt to income ratio
FICO Score

Etiquette Program

Our Etiquette Program promotes cross-cultural awareness while fostering dignity and respect in your personal life and workplace. It provides a positive impact on workplace code of conduct and improves internal and external customer relations.

There are many benefits of etiquette training such as:

Enhance relationship in the workplace
Enhance communication skills
Be more comfortable in professional and social settings
Gain a competitive edge to get that job desired
Increase self-esteem
Strengthen credibility

Erika’s Closet connects this program with Workforce Development to assist individuals with ways to have a better connection while on the job and /or in the job search.

Our workshop and training shall focus on the following but not limited to:

Communication skills
Mannerisms
Eye contact & proper hand shake
Professional dress attire
Social media etiquette
Virtual job fair etiquette

Advocacy

Erika’s Closet shall advocate on the local, state, and national level for mental health services, for affordable housing, and human rights. We shall collaborate with other organizational and bring awareness for the needs of the people.

Who does Erika's Closet support?

While Erika’s Closet supports a wide range of people, our specialized expertise is in formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted individuals. We provide tailored training, wraparound services, and connections to employers who value second chances.

What are the core values of Erika's Closet?

Erika’s Closet is grounded in respect, dignity, and the belief that everyone deserves a real second chance. We work to end stigma by creating supportive pathways for skill-building, confidence, and personal growth. Our approach centers on ethical service, celebrates progress, and uplifts people and families as they rebuild their lives with strength and possibility.

FAQs

Do I need an appointment to visit Erika’s Closet?

Appointments are encouraged so visitors can receive focused support.

Can organizations refer people to Erika’s Closet?

Yes. Community partners are welcome to make referrals.

Contact

What makes Erika's Closet different?

Skills can open a door. Confidence can push it wider. Erika’s Closet brings all three together, meeting immediate needs while building long-term career success. In partnership with PRN, we’re not just preparing people for jobs, we’re preparing them for futures filled with dignity, purpose, and possibility.

Way's you can support our mission:

Apply for Assistance

Use the form below to apply for employment assistance, help writing your resume, or other soft skills training.

Refer Someone

Use the form below to refer individuals who have experienced incarceration or substance abuse to relevant support services.

Give to the Cause

Donating to PRN means contributing skills and career pathways needed for a brighter future.