Providing clothes for people transitioning into the workforce
Abstract
Men and women who want to transition into the workforce may not have clothes appropriate for job interviews or the workplace. Clothing & Connections is a non-profit organization that provides donated professional clothing to individuals referred to them by homeless shelters, domestic violence centers, job training, and self-sufficiency programs. Clothing & Connections is one of several family self-sufficiency programs offered by the Fargo Housing and Redevelopment Authority in Fargo, North Dakota. This effective practice was shared at an AmeriCorps*VISTA conference on financial asset development strategies August 7-9, 2001, at Brown University.Issue
A positive first impression is important during any job interview. Yet men and women who want to transition into the workforce may not have professional clothes appropriate for job interviews or the workplace. Without an income, new professional clothes are an expense they cannot afford, creating another barrier to entering the workforce.Action
Clothing & Connections' mission is to provide interview and career clothing, information and referrals to clients in need as they pursue new opportunities for advancement in self-sufficiency. Clients are referred to Clothing & Connections by a group of non-profit member organizations, which include homeless shelters, domestic violence centers, job training, and self-sufficiency programs.
Clients are fitted with clothing specific to the job they are applying for. In addition, Clothing & Connections offers mini-seminars on topics such as preparing for the job interview, making a positive first impression, and dressing for success on a limited budget. An image consultant is available for color analysis and makeovers, which makes the seminars fun as well as educational.
All clothes are donated from the community. Clothing & Connections receives clothing from two drives during the year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Professional volunteers from the community do makeovers, and the program coordinator conducts the majority of the mini-trainings.
Context
The Clothing & Connections program is one of several family self-sufficiency programs offered by the Fargo Housing and Redevelopment Authority in Fargo, North Dakota.Outcome
Clothing & Connections has dressed more than 400 from February 1999 to August 2001. More than 100 clients have successfully completed the training offered by Clothing & Connections and taken part in a graduation celebration.Posted On
August 28, 2001For More Information
Resources
From The Resource Center library:
Family Self-Sufficiency Programs
Item number: R1930