Women Receive Hope Because of Women’s Fall Suit Drive

As a result of United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council suit drive on Nov. 6, more than 2,500 suits were collected. The women who received them, clients of Safe Nest, S.A.F.E. House, The Shade Tree and Goodwill Career Connections, are well on their way towards self-sufficiency.

Anna received a suit and is now making her way towards a new life after surviving a domestic violence situation. After she entered The Shade Tree, her goal was to seek employment that would allow her to afford housing on her own. She completed Shade Tree’s Job Development Program and graduated from its week-long job readiness class. As part of her training and graduation, she received two suits from the Women’s Fall Suit Drive that were suitable attire for attending a job interview. Anna felt so good to look in the mirror and see herself as someone an employer would want to hire. Anna set goals and stepped up her job search efforts. Recently, she was hired in a clerical position at a safety management consulting firm.

Joanne, a 56-year-old single woman, came to The Shade Tree because the rent on her apartment had been raised, her work hours had been cut, and she could no longer afford an apartment. Joanne graduated from The Shade Tree’s job readiness class and received clothing from the suit drive. Joanne was recently hired as a cashier.

“These are just two stories of many that we see every week,” said John J. Brant, NCWP, Job Development Program Manager at The Shade Tree. “Your efforts not only provide our clients with some very nice clothing, but you play a big role in raising the self-esteem and confidence levels of our clients.”