Meet Corena Mitchell | Program Director of Boots to Heels

We had the good fortune of connecting with Corena Mitchell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Corena, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
Working for Attitudes and Attire, the one thing I’ve learned in the past 4 years is you truly have to have a heart of empath towards your clients and their life experiences, what they go through. This isn’t just a job it’s a career we work hard towards that’s 100% rewarding in every way possible.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets us apart from other nonprofits is we focus on women veterans and military spouses to assist with identifying barriers to self-esteem and equipping with tools to feel more confident. We provide a safe environment where women connect and network with each other. I got where I am today from my own personal struggles with PTSD and a difficult transition from the military to civilian life, I was invited to Attitudes and Attire as a client over 5 years ago, their program literally saved my life as I had been planning on ending my own life. I didn’t understand what I was going g through and what I was feeling. I felt alone but another Veteran shared her story. Due to her doing so I was able to indentify I wasn’t alone and theres hell other than ending my life. I started volunteering with A&A and have now been with the agency over 4 years. My journey wasn’t easy, it was difficult but now I take that strength and pour into our clients and give them the strength I once needed as well. The lesson I’ve learned is we are never alone and there’s purpose in our journey, we just have to find it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Dallas has so many awesome spots. If someone was visiting me, we would go to Dallas Arboretum, lunch in Deep Ellum at either Ruins or Vidorra. Tipsy Alchemist is a must when someone visits Dallas. Farmer’s Market has so many things to offer and food, that would be a must. Fort Worth Zoo, Six Flags or Hurricane Harbor depending on the season. Rockwall Harbor is always fun to visit. I enjoy hiking at Cedar Ridge Preserve or White Rock Lake. Texas State Fair if it’s that time of year. A night stay at either the Hilton Anatole or Slaters downtown.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout is to the staff at Attitudes and Attire, we work well together, we are a family who cares tremendously for our clients we do it as one team. I also just shout out to all our agencies that send referrals to us. Without the referral agencies we couldn’t do what we do. My family and their support would be my last shout out, they support me and are always pushing me making me believe I can do anything. My now 13 year old daughter Corynn is the first person who taught me I could do anything in life and has kept me pushing.

Website: Attitudesandattire.org