“Most of us don’t really think about it, but the biggest barrier to employment can often be proper interview attire and interpersonal skills. It only takes seven seconds to make a good impression on a potential employer. says executive director Cindy Garner. Job seekers come to CTW through a network of community partners and receive one-on-one appointments with a qualified volunteer coach. The CTW coach helps clients choose appropriate attire for the interview and offers tips on how to make a positive first impression. All clothing services are free for the job seeker. To date, CTW has helped more than 37,000 people break down professional image barriers and build confidence in their job search and career success.
In addition to providing interview-friendly clothing, CTW conducts educational programs as part of its Workforce Education Initiative (WEI). Educational programs include a series of courses and workshops designed to equip job seekers and new hires with the knowledge and skills that lead to continued career success. Workshop topics include creating a positive first impression, proper business attire, effective communication techniques, conflict resolution in the workplace, and how to build professional relationships.
WEI has delivered more than 375 courses and workshops to more than 7,000 people since the program launched in 2017. “The success of the workforce education initiative has shown us the need to expand our services beyond the boundaries of the Montgomery County Employment Center,” says Garner. Our new mobile outreach program is currently in development, scheduled to launch in Q1 2023 in honor of our 25th anniversary. The mobile outreach program will allow us to increase the impact of our organization’s mission, improving customer access to our apparel and workforce education services.
Clothing donation needs for Customers
Clothes That Work relies on the generous donations of others to provide our clients with outfits suitable for interviews and work. They accept donations for a wide variety of sizes and industries, but ask that the items: be clean, be in good to excellent condition, suitable for the workplace, and be less than five years old.
- Dress and casual shoes for women, especially sizes 9-13
- Clothing for plus size women, sizes 18 and up
- Steel Toe Work Boots for Men and Women
- Suits for men
- Men’s dress and casual pants, especially sizes 26-33″
- White, cream, blue and gray shirts for men, especially in sizes 18 and up
- Men’s dress shoes
- Dress socks for men in blue, black and gray
- Men’s belts, Sizes S (36-40), M (42-46), L (48-52)
- New (boxed) men’s undershirts, boxers and briefs in sizes S to 3X
- Travel personal toiletries
The Shop can use these items:
- Trendy designer clothes for men and women.
- Hand bags
- Shoes
- Jewelry
- Scarves
Clothes That Work accepts clothing donations by appointment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. The main office and the Boutique are located at 1133 So. Edwin C Moses Blvd., Suite #392, Dayton, OH 45417. Free parking is available in one of the marked parking spots at the store entrance.
Satellite drop-off locations include: Abbey Credit Union, 800 Falls Creek Dr., Vandalia; Abbey Credit Union, 891 W. Market St., Troy; Greater Dayton Jewish Community Center, 525 Versailles Drive, Centerville (by appointment only); and Oakwood Florist, 2313 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood.
To make an appointment, visit: https://www.clothesthatwork.org/appointments. Call 937-222-3778 if you have any questions.
Other ways to help:
- Shop at The Boutique! Shopping hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon the second Saturday of each month.
- Host a private shopping party for your friends, organization or club. If you have any questions, contact Suzy Harris, Operations Manager at 937-222-3778, ext. 170.
- Become a volunteer. The organization needs volunteers for the positions of customer guides, workshop facilitators, inventory managers and store salespersons. Anyone interested in volunteering can visit https://www.clothesthatwork.org/get-involved/ or call Suzy Harris, Director of Operations, at 937-222-3778, ext. 170.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Meredith Moss writes about Dayton-area nonprofits and their specific needs. If your group has a wish list they would like to share with our readers, contact Meredith: [email protected].
Please include a daytime phone number and a photo that reflects your group’s mission.
