The racks are lined wall-to-wall with chic blouses, dress pants, blazers and jewelry B次元官网网址� and the women browsing through this boutique donB次元官网网址檛 need to pay a thing.
The Wear 2 Start society is a local non-profit organization that helps those who identify as women prepare for their next step in life, whether itB次元官网网址檚 an interview for a new job, a promotion, or a networking opportunity when they canB次元官网网址檛 afford professional-looking clothes.
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A referral from programs such as Bridges for women, GT Hiring, In Focus, and other employment agencies will pay a $40 fee to set up an appointment for a woman at Wear 2 Start. This will get each person a private appointment at the boutique with a personalized outfit volunteer who will find out what kind of clothing they need and like. After a 90-minute appointment, each woman walks away with several mix-and-match outfits, undergarments, a handbag, shoes, a scarf, a coat, and a toiletry bag full of makeup and hygiene products. Sometimes the agency also organizes a free haircut and makeup lesson.
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B次元官网网址淲e look at it as a very transformative experience for women,B次元官网网址� said Tracy Lubick, program manager, who said most of the time when women come in they arenB次元官网网址檛 feeling too confident. B次元官网网址淭alking to our boutique operators, they say itB次元官网网址檚 like theyB次元官网网址檝e grown half a foot in the time theyB次元官网网址檝e been here. By the time they leave theyB次元官网网址檙e transformed and feel much more confident.B次元官网网址�
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The organization began in 2001 after the founder, Kathleen McMullin, had left an abusive relationship and found that she had no appropriate clothing for a job interview. McMullin had to ask her daughterB次元官网网址檚 friendB次元官网网址檚 mother to borrow some shoes, and from this humbling experience realized how important it is to make sure women have access to these kinds of resources.
Seventeen years later, thousands of women have been helped; the boutique usually hosts 12 appointments per week.
B次元官网网址淪ome of them have never been shopping before, or had the opportunity to shop with a girlfriend,B次元官网网址� said Karen Etsch, board of directors member. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 so amazing to see them leave and feel treasured and special.B次元官网网址�
While the society has a large collection of clothing donations from the community, it does not receive any government funding. So, this November the Wear 2 Start society is running their B次元官网网址淕ift of PossibilitiesB次元官网网址� campaign, asking the community for donations to cover the $40 consultation fees. This year they are hoping to raise $1,000.
For more information, or to make a donation, head to .
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