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What To Consider When You Donate Career Clothing

By Jaclyn Hurley


If you are one of the millions of people who have been unemployed for an extended period there is help available to you. It is organizations that are soliciting others to donate career clothing. These garments are then distributed to people who may not have access to appropriate apparel to wear to a job interview. First impressions account for many people being hired in the job market and if you do not look the part you may not succeed regardless of your skill set.

When you bring a donation to your church or nonprofit organization to be used by those seeking employment you may be helping them to assist someone prepare for their future. These organizations help their clients and neighbors by teaching them the skills they need to secure and maintain a job. The first step in this process is finding appropriate clothes to wear to an interview for employment.

Women who have fled from violent situations and now reside in shelters also benefit from these programs. They often have children that they are responsible for and getting a job that can support them is imperative for their continued independence. The agencies that protect them have trained professionals that prepare them for the job market but without the generous donations of private individuals it would be in vain.

Many community churches have special areas where people can bring their lightly used career clothing. They have certain days of the week when you can drop off the items and ask that they be clean and without excessive wrinkling. There are specific garments that are best suited for job seeking and they ask that you only bring things found on their lists.

The list for women will ask for matching business suits, shoes, skirts, blouses, and slacks. They also appreciate office quality jewelry, purses and other accessories. The programs who offer these services ask that the clothes be seasonal so as to be appropriate for work immediately. They also prefer that they not be out dated or damaged.

Men's clothes are a much shorter list but equally as important. They need suits that are not out dated or worn out, dress shirts and stylish ties, shoes and black stockings, belts and overcoats. They will also accept cuff links, watches and briefcases to complete the look. They do not want polo shirts, jeans, khakis or corduroy pants.

National women's organizations have rallied to help support women in shelters by partnering with local affiliates to supply them with a fitting with a professional who will assist them in selecting appropriate apparel for their interview. If they get the job they are then treated to several more outfits to allow them to have enough of a wardrobe to finish the first week of work. There is a follow up program called working wardrobe that continues to help them dress for success.

Everybody benefits when persons in need of a helping hand get the clothes and skills they need to get ahead. Organizations have banded together to help provide the basic tools they need and it is proving to be a successful endeavor. When coupled with agencies to prepare them for working, organizations that help them dress for success are the finishing touch on a recipe for a new life for thousands of individuals and their families.




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