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 Goodwill Begins New “Dress for Work” Program Goodwill recently implemented a “Dress for Work” program with Mahoning County Job and Family Services, Trumbull County Job and Family Services and homeless referrals as part of their new contract agreements. This new component is available to clients who are receiving services at Goodwill.
 “A lot of the clients really don’t have clothes or don’t have the money to buy clothes,” says Dorothy Nespeca, director of rehabilitation. It’s an incentive for them.” Through this program, Goodwill provides clothing to support an individual’s plan for employment and/or training. The goal is to promote and help to ensure the economic independence of individuals referred to Goodwill by providing appropriate attire for job interviews and specific clothing necessary for employment. Program participants are able to shop in select Goodwill stores using gift certificates good for clothing, shoes, hosiery, undergarments and accessories such as jewelry and hair accessories. “Some of them save the clothes for interviews and some of them wear them right away for the work adjustment program,” says Nespeca. All eligible clients participating in Goodwill’s vocational evaluation, work adjustment or placement program receive $50 in Goodwill stores gift certificates. A Goodwill staff person who is familiar with the career development process assists the individual with choosing clothing and other merchandise that is considered appropriate. Clients have a specific time period set aside for them to shop. Goodwill staff assists with their selections before a purchase is made to make sure they meet the guidelines of what is considered proper work attire.
Having a starter wardrobe is a crucial step in the plan of self-sufficiency. The low cost of clothing in the store allows each participant to have ample apparel to prepare for the job search process. Program participant Andryea Graves explained that it gave her the opportunity to shop for herself since most things she buys goes to her two children. “I found stuff I needed,” says Graves. “It was a good experience.”
Not only does the program provide them with free clothing, but it also provides clients with ideas of what they should be wearing to work or for job interviews. “Sometimes they need a little guidance and we show them what’s appropriate,” says Maribeth Snyder, vocational evaluation assistant. “It definitely gives them a bit of an education on what is appropriate work attire.”
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