Success Outfitters
They say that clothes make the person and always dress for success. Clothing can set the tone of one’s outlook and attitude and be an expression of who they are or, as is often the case, where they are in society. Too often an individual is judged, not by their merits and deeds, but by their wardrobe. Not being able to afford an appropriate outfit for a life changing event such as a job interview or the first day of work can be burdensome and self-defeating. Luckily, there is a place that can help.
Success Outfitters is a business attire “clothes closet” that offers men and women with limited means a way to obtain appropriate clothing at no cost for interviews and a day on the job. Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina houses this program in Winston-Salem at 2701 University Parkway in Winston Salem and in Asheville at 1616 Patton Ave.
The program works by providing individuals a place to shop – at no cost – for a professional outfit to wear during an interview. After successfully getting the job, the participant is encouraged to return to find another on-the-job outfit for free. This “in-house boutique” is an ideal way for job seekers to find clothing that will help them feel a sense of pride and be more likely to succeed in an interview situation because they are dressed for success.
“Individuals may obtain two complete outfits from the center at no cost,” said Nancy Doub, special projects coordinator for Goodwill. “Success Outfitters not only provides clothing but also fosters the self-confidence they need for interviews and their first days of work.”
Although donations are accepted from individuals and businesses at any time, Success Outfitters representatives reach out twice a year during the months of April and October to distribute materials and information throughout the community and set up clothing drives. Success Outfitters then sends out its team to the to pick up the donations, all of which are tax deductible. The items collected that are not appropriate for Success Outfitters are donated to Goodwill’s retail operations which underwrite additional workforce development programs.
“I know that Success Outfitters has really made a difference in so many people’s lives,” said Patti Stanford, branch manager at Randstad Work Solutions. “Not only the lives of those who have received the clothing, but also those who have donated as well. It is a tremendous feeling to know that you have helped provide someone with the tools to gain meaningful employment.”
Body language can speak volumes and seeing an individual walking out of Success Outfitters with a nice set of clothes, one can’t help but notice their shoulders back and heads held high with pride. Feeling confident in oneself can be a challenge in finding employment, and once it is overcome, the sky’s the limit.
Individuals interested in obtaining clothing must be referred by partnering agencies to participate in Success Outfitters. For more information on Success Outfitters, please contact Nancy Doub at (336) 724-3621 or ndoub@goodwillnwnc.org.
Goodwill Industries Opens Success Outfitters
Art Gibel, Sherry Carpenter, Tina Stearns, Brent Waddell, Nancy Doub, Patti Stanford
Winston-Salem, NC – Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina, Randstad USA and Hospice & Palliative CareCenter announced the grand opening of Success Outfitters, a new clothes closet program at Goodwill’s headquarters at 2701 University Parkway on Tuesday, October 23, 2007. An open house will be held from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:00 p.m. Success Outfitters offers people with limited resources a way to obtain appropriate clothing for interviews and a day on the job absolutely free.
“Individuals may obtain two complete outfits from the center at no cost,” said Nancy Doub, special projects coordinator for Goodwill. “Success Outfitters not only provides clothing but also fosters the self-confidence they need for interviews and their first days at work.”
Goodwill partner agency representatives, business advisory council members and executive staff attended an official ribbon cutting ceremony for Success Outfitters at 5:00 p.m. The center will be available to Goodwill clients and through referrals by appointment only.
Goodwill is able to offer this service thanks to the hard work of staff, volunteers and the many people who donate business professional attire specifically for the program. Community members are invited to celebrate the event and preview the newly completed Success Outfitters center.
Goodwill sells donated items in its stores to fund career development and training programs that help people find jobs and become more independent. Goodwill served over 22,500 people in the last year alone. For more information call (336) 724-3621 or go to http://www.goodwillnwnc.org
