Clothing Success: One Suit at a Time

Greensboro,NC- United Way of Greater Greensboro’s Women’s Leadership group held a clothing drive for the graduates of the New Choices Program at the Women’s Resource Center of Greensboro for their graduation on Tuesday November 24, 2009.

The graduating women were given the opportunity to celebrate their success by shopping through the donated clothing which consisted of business attire, jewelry, portfolios, pocketbooks, shoes, and dry cleaning gift certificates. Carley Williams, United Way’s Leadership Giving Manager, described it as “a true shopping spree”. Women’s Leadership sponsored the entire event as they provided food in addition to their clothing contributions. The group collected the donated clothing at United Way of Greater Greensboro on the two Saturdays preceding the graduation; November 14 and 21. The volunteers collected as many pieces as possible and creatively arranged outfits to present at the graduation. It was an opportunity for the members of Women’s Leadership to applaud these women for completing their journey of strengthening their souls and creating a new beginning for themselves.

Susan Ball, the New Choices Program Director, was extremely grateful to Women’s Leadership for their generosity. “Every single client expressed gratefulness for their suits and the wonderful lunch. Our results could not be achieved without the volunteer support from the community such as the Women’s Leadership group”, says Ball. The results of this program are quite impressive. Of the 17 women included in the graduating class 11 women, or 65 percent, have found employment or moved on to further education within a month of finishing the program. Ball testifies, “each woman has stated that their lives have significantly moved forward”.

The New Choices Program of the Women’s Resource Center of Greensboro, program funded by United Way, began in 1995 as it was identified by a community needs assessment as an essential resource for the Greensboro community. The curriculum seeks to provide displaced homemakers with job training workshops and resources to increase their chances of success in their search for employment free of charge. Upon graduation these women have increased their self esteem, interview skills, and have created a one year career plan. However, the Women’s Leadership group of the United Way recognized that having a working wardrobe would be the final step in helping these women to be truly triumphant in their journey.

Women’s Leadership volunteers in the community throughout the year to live out their mission of mobilizing women to become powerful philanthropists by giving of their time, talent and treasure. These women contribute $1,000 or more annually in addition to living out their four values of philanthropy, volunteering, networking, and mentoring. These women are committed to making lasting change in the community especially through empowering women. This is the second event Women’s Leadership has held with the Women’s Resource Center and the women are already planning their next endeavor as they will continue to honor these women as they successfully make their new choices.