By Laurel Droz
Staff Writer

There are times in life when a person is left in desperate need of a second chance, a fresh start–and a decent suit.
As the new program director of King’s Closet, Goodrich resident Harmony Langford hopes to help individuals in just such a predicament.
King’s Closet, in downtown Flint, specializes in helping men get interview-appropriate clothes.
‘We are a non profit organization,? Langford said. ? We’ve been around now for about a year.?
Sometimes all it takes is a few bad decisions to turn a life upside down, often to such a degree it is difficult to recover, Langford explained.
It is a situation with which she is personally familiar. Langford was a mother of two with her third on the way when found herself unexpectedly dependent on others following a divorce. A college graduate who had been attending law school, Langford had never planned on having to move back in with her mother and get public assistance just to make ends meet.
‘Just a couple of poor choices and you’re in a situation where you need to depend on somebody for help,? Langford said.
Though she was able to recover, the experience stayed with her, helping her to identify with the plight of the men who come to King’s Closet.
‘I was fortunate enough to have family to bail me out, not everyone does,? Langford said.
She said her favorite part of the job is watching the change that comes over someone when he is given a professional looking suit.
‘The first week I had a couple guys come in … in their street clothes and they were maybe a little embarrassed,? Langford recalled. She said the new suit would bring out of the men an attitude of pride and more importantly, hope.
She saw just such a transformation in Brock Davis, 18.
‘He had gotten in trouble, he was in the court system, Langford said.
Davis? counselor brought him to King’s Closet to get a suit for a job interview .
‘He looked like we were going to walk him to the death chamber,? Langford said of her reluctant customer. ‘We got him the suit and we took some pictures. He went immediately after he left to the interview and got the job.?
He may not have been smiling when he came in, but he sure was when he got the job, the counselor later told Langford.
It’s the sort of outcome Langford loves to see.
‘He went and he made some bad choices but it’s not over,? Langford said.
Such happy endings are impossible, however, without the help of the community.
‘We’re running kind of on a shoestring budget so we’re always looking for any help we can get,? Langford explained. ‘This is something that’s easy for people to do.?
She recommends people go through their closets and find any mens dress clothes they may have that are no longer needed.
‘I’ve had so many wives go ‘ooh, I can’t wait to get into his closet,” Langford said, laughing.
She said people should also consider donating often overlooked items such as dress shoes and belts.
Anyone interested in information or in donating to Kings Closet should call (810)234-2187.
‘When the client comes in and we really feel we can make a change, Langford said, ‘that’s what it’s all about.?