Autobytel Sponsors Working Wardrobes and VetNet to Help Veterans Find Jobs and Achieve Self-Sufficiency


IRVINE, Calif., July 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq:ABTL), a leading provider of online automotive services connecting consumers with dealers, today announced it has recently provided Working Wardrobes with a $50,000 corporate sponsorship to help the unemployed find jobs, and to help the underemployed earn a better living.

Working Wardrobes is a nonprofit organization that helps men, women, young adults, and veterans overcoming difficult challenges find meaningful employment and achieve self-sufficiency. Its VetNet program provides transition training, workforce readiness preparation, job training, and job placement and retention services to veterans.  

This marks the fifth year Autobytel has sponsored Working Wardrobes, however, this year's sponsorship is Autobytel's largest financial contribution to date – and the largest corporate sponsorship Working Wardrobes has received in its 25-year history. A considerable portion of the contribution is earmarked for Working Wardrobes' VetNet program. 

"This year is Working Wardrobes' 25th Anniversary and in that time, the organization has served more than 80,000 clients," said Jeff Coats, president and CEO of Autobytel Inc. "To celebrate this anniversary, along with Autobytel's 20th anniversary, we wanted to commit on a deeper financial level this year to help even more people in need, and particularly the veterans who bravely served our country but who often return home to no jobs, or underpaying jobs, with no real way to support themselves and their families."  

Working Wardrobes has a number of initiatives planned throughout the remainder of this year to honor its 25th Anniversary, and to shed a greater light on the issues of unemployment and underemployment among its clients. Jerri Rosen, founder and CEO of Working Wardrobes, says Autobytel's sponsorship comes at a critical time.

"We've accomplished a lot of work in the past 25 years, but there is much more to be done and Autobytel's commitment is the boost we need to help even more clients," said Rosen. "This year, we launched The Power of a Paycheck Campaign which truly speaks to the work we have done over the past quarter century, to help people earn a living or earn a better living. Jeff and his team have been staunch advocates for our organization, and I'm thrilled with their level of commitment this year. It's so very much appreciated."

The new campaign, launched by Working Wardrobes earlier this year, is designed to assist the unemployed and underemployed, as well as to aid businesses looking to tap into a more talented, well-rounded pool of employee prospects. The campaign asks donors to set aside a portion of their paychecks each month to help Working Wardrobes clients earn a better living by enabling upward mobility in their careers.  For more information, visit www.workingwardrobes.org/paycheck.    

Coats says Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), particularly in the local community, is a focus at Autobytel, and that this commitment to CSR dovetails Working Wardrobes' efforts of engaging local businesses to help those in need.

"Autobytel's support of Working Wardrobes through sponsorships, volunteer man hours, clothing drives, and other related initiatives, helps our employees feel more engaged," he said. "Since studies show that over half of today's business professionals say they want to make a social impact in some way, we felt it was important to implement CSR efforts in our own organization. Simply put, CSR is good for people in need, for the community as a whole, and for our employees who genuinely want to make a difference." 

About Autobytel Inc.

Autobytel Inc. provides high quality consumer leads and associated marketing services to automotive dealers and manufacturers throughout the United States and offers consumers robust and original online automotive content to help them make informed car-buying decisions. The company pioneered the automotive internet in 1995 with its flagship website http://www.autobytel.com/ and has since helped tens of millions of automotive consumers research vehicles; connected thousands of dealers nationwide with motivated car buyers; and helped every major automaker market its brand online. Investors and other interested parties can receive Autobytel news releases and invitations to special events by accessing the online registration form at investor.autobytel.com/alerts.cfm.

About Working Wardrobes

Working Wardrobes is an independent nonprofit organization that empowers men, women, veterans, and young adults overcoming difficult challenges to confidently enter the workforce and achieve self-sufficiency. The organization provides career training, job placement assistance, and professional wardrobe services in an environment of dignity and respect.



            

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