#SuitingStories - Well Suited for...Reading Intervention

*Disclosure: Names have been changed to protect the privacy and confidentiality of clients and volunteers. 

The morning started much like any other sleepy Saturday. The sun shone high in the summer sky and the hot air was already sweaty with humidity. It was, after all, August in Florence. 
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…but there was something different about this morning. The world was full of possibility – of excitement – because this particular morning was reserved for Suiting…
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The referral had come in earlier in the week from Connie’s Workforce Connections, one of our four official Referral Partners, and our volunteers were eager to schedule the #SuitingAppointment and prepare items for our new friend. Well Suited for Work, which is fully volunteer-led and donation-driven, aims to tackle the challenges of poverty in our local communities One Suit at a Time. Our goal is for each client to walk away from their appointment with pre-laundered and pressed outfits that can be worn right off the hanger to an upcoming interview or new employment.

The Dressing Room in our #SuitingSpace ready with pre-selected items for Tammy's #SuitingAppointment.

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​With that mission and framework in mind, our Volunteer Suiting Assistant, we’ll call her Abbey, selected a variety of blouses, slacks, blazers and dresses for the day’s client, we’ll call her Tammy. Now Tammy had just accepted a position at a local school, supporting students with improving their reading skills, and because she would be working in a school setting, Abbey wanted to be sure to provide outfits that would be comfortable, professional and approachable for students…all while keeping in mind the August heat. 
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Tammy had traveled quite a distance that morning for her appointment and her determination and commitment to her personal career goals were inspiring. Tammy had been out of the workforce for over a year as a result of limitations due to a physical disability and had been working diligently to prepare for the transition, connecting with organizations, friends and her faith community to gather the resources, support and information she needed to meet her goals. “I don’t have everything that I need” Tammy shared as she discussed her preparations for her new role, “but I know that God will provide and so far [God] has.” Tammy spoke about how her pastor had surprised her with a few items for her first day and how helpful it was to have a variety of pieces to mix and match throughout the week to get her started before receiving her first paycheck. Our friends at Connie’s Workforce Connections have been diligent as well in identifying resources to support Tammy in accomplishing her goals and moving towards financial independence. 
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At Well Suited for Work, we recognize the reality that over 59% of Americans are only one unexpected expense away from homelessness. So many individuals and families are living paycheck to paycheck and worried about their financial future. For folks who are unemployed or underemployed, that stress is a constant reality. While Tammy’s individual story is both personal and specific to her life and experiences, the challenges she’s facing are all too common. 

Our goal is for each client to walk away from their appointment with pre-laundered and pressed outfits that can be worn right off the hanger to an upcoming interview or new employment.

​Abbey, who has a background providing case management and employment services to individuals in underserved communities, shared her motivation for volunteering: “we live in a beautiful and broken world. None of us knows what tomorrow will bring and being able to connect with others as peers within a program that focuses on empowerment and is sensitive to toxic power dynamics is both refreshing and life-giving.” 
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So much of success in an interview has to do with confidence. Therefore, fostering an environment where clients are empowered and encouraged is central to every piece of Well Suited for Work’s program model. When asked what she values most about being connected with Well Suited for Work, Abbey stated “so many other organizations that have clothing ministries are set up as ‘clothing closets’, where individuals come into a dimly lit, small room and are instructed to rummage through piles of clothes or items stored in garbage bags for pieces that look like they might fit or may be considered professional once laundered and ironed. But Well Suited for Work has created a retail-like environment with folks who assist clients with particular items that meet industry standards, all while providing encouragement and coaching.” 
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After her #SuitingAppointment, Tammy headed out into her week with a collection of blouses and slacks, a dress and sleek blazer as well as matching shoes and brand-new nylons and undergarments. However, clothing is just a small part of what God is doing in Tammy’s life. We, at Well Suited for Work, are so grateful for the opportunity to partner with so many organizations providing long-term support and services to jobseekers throughout our community. None of this work would be possible without our dedicated volunteers, our remarkable Referral Partners and all those who support this ministry through prayers, financial and in-kind donations. Thank you for being a part of Tammy’s story and our work! 

#SuitingStories #ClothingConfidenceCareer