An
amazing charity founded in 1996 that gives
business clothing to disadvantaged women in
Alameda and
Contra Costa counties in
California to prepare them for the
workforce.
Clothes are an integral part of the problem of unemployment, as a recent survey showed that 47% of welfare recipients stated that the reason they couldn't find
employment was because they didn't have the right clothes for work. New clothes improve their image and
self-esteem, as well as their marketability. Women are referred to this organization by
homeless shelters and domestic
violence shelters, as well as many more organizations.
Wardrobe for Opportunity works closely with many job
training programs as well.
Each client recieves two
interviewing outfits when she has an interview and a
working wardrobe when she gets the job.
They accept monetary and clothing contributions, and is almost entirely
volunteer run. 80% of the
clients served successfully secured employment that pays at least 8-15$ an hour.
www.wardrobe.org.
Another charity that is very similar in the
New York area is www.dressforsuccess.org.