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Barry Lebow gives a busload of brand-new clothing to help clients turn their lives around

Barry Lebow not only gave generously himself but galvanized his community and inspired numerous people to do the same.  The result?  A windfall for CAMH’s most vulnerable clients.

Barry Lebow and Norma McDowall shown at CAMH’s Suits me Fine boutique.

Because of the stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction, some clients are especially vulnerable to economic challenges, job loss or even homelessness. To respond to these challenges, CAMH created the Suits Me Fine boutique, which provides clients access to a wide variety of everyday-wear garments.

“Many clients cannot afford new clothes. Our donors and volunteers outfit thousands of clients each year at no cost to them,” explains Norma McDowall, Volunteer Coordinator for Research and Special Populations. “We help clients find suitable clothes for important occasions like job interviews and special events.”

Suits Me Fine relies on donations from staff, volunteers and the public in order to meet the needs of the clients; however, sometimes the need exceeds what is available and many clients have had to go without.   But thanks to donors like Barry Lebow, Suits Me Fine has no shortage of stock.

Just over a year ago, Barry made what would be his first of many generous donations to Suits Me Fine: 18 large bags filled with an assortment of brand-new stock and a fabric steamer.  His latest donation last fall was a staggering 160 bags full of high-quality, brand-new clothing, that required a bus to deliver. The majority of the clothing came in from members of B’nai Brith Canada, as well as Barry’s friends in the Realtor and legal communities.

Barry—a professional real estate appraiser, arbitrator, Realtor, teacher and husband of Sheila Pitch, Redevelopment and Transition Manager, Addiction, Child, Youth and Family Program, CAMH—recognized the importance of providing people who are going through difficult times with suitable attire for regaining confidence and self-esteem.  “I think a true donation has to come from the heart,” says Barry. “I raised the issue with my friends at Toronto Freedom Lodge, and the response was overwhelming.”

Long before his involvement with Suits Me Fine, Barry and his high-school fraternity made a $2500 donation to facilities that later became part of CAMH. At the time, the 17-year old Barry was offered a tour and after seeing the condition of the old facilities, he knew that one-day he wanted to give something back.

The first donation of new clothing was the result of months of hard work by a group of very giving people. Barry put the word out to his personal network of friends and colleagues, and within a short time, he found his garage overflowing with clothes. In subsequent donations, more friends, students, co-workers and neighbours came forward with even more clothing as well as cash donations that were used to buy new items from distributors around the city. To fill in any gaps, some cash donations were given and the money was used to buy new items from distributors around the city.

A donation like this, which has such a profound impact on the self-esteem and self-image of CAMH’s clients, truly does come from the heart.

To donate new or gently used clothing to Suits Me Fine, please contact Norma McDowall at 416-535-8501 ext. 6010, or email norma_mcdowall@camh.net.