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Who Benefits When You Donate Career Clothing

By Jaclyn Hurley


Men and women who are unfortunate enough to have been unemployed for long periods of time sometimes find themselves in the position of not having the appropriate apparel to successfully compete in the job seeking market. They may have become homeless or be living in shelters where they can have few items that belong to them. These circumstances do not necessarily need to doom them to a life of destitution. There are ways to donate career clothing to assist these people to get back on their feet.

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.

The donations can be taken to community churches that support programs designed to help needier parish members get back on their feet. Most churches have areas for collection of the donations and prefer that they be delivered on hangers to prevent any wrinkling or soil collection on the garments. There is usually a list of articles that are needed and the church is happy to provide you with a copy.

Women's garments should be business casual. This means suits with slacks or a skirt, blazers, skirts and blouses, shoes of all sizes and unused toiletries, undergarments and hosiery. They request that the clothing be seasonal and not be out of style or inappropriate. A rule of thumb is whether or not you would wear the garment in question to an interview or not. If you would wear it then it will be perfect for their needs.

The men's list is somewhat shorter but basically the same. They want lightly worn suits, dress shirts, shoes, new black stockings, new underwear, and unused toiletries. They request that you do not send polo shirts, vests or sweaters, jeans or khakis and corduroys because they are not appropriate for a job interview.

There are also national organizations that cater mostly to women who need assistance finding employment. These organizations supply an outfit for the interview and if the client gets the job they are allowed to return for more outfits to get them through their first week of work. Later they can return on a quarterly basis for three extra outfits to help them continue in their new job.

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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