The Clothing Collaborative grew out of a Dorcas Place goal to expand its school-to-work transition support services for Dorcas Place students. The overall goal of the Clothing Collaborative Network is to assist low-income, unemployed and underemployed individuals in overcoming barriers to training and employment.
The Clothing Collaborative Network provides work appropriate clothing at no cost to low-income men and women who are completing job training and education programs, and seeking employment. The program meets the need for practical support, more directly and more effectively, by providing high quality professional attire to the clients of participating Rhode Island agencies who meet the income and job search criteria of the program.
The program enables job seekers to experience the interview process more confidently because they are dressed appropriately and better able to make a good first impression. After employment is secured, clients are able to continue to add to their "work wardrobe." As long as individuals remain employed, they are permitted several return visits to receive additional outfits during their first year of employment.
Modeled after successful programs in Washington D.C., New York, and Boston, the Clothing Collaborative was launched in 1996 and initially received 3 years of funding from Fleet Bank. Beginning as a small shop staffed by volunteers and located at Travelers Aid, it has grown to become a successful statewide program. A strategic plan was developed with the aid of a grant from the Rhode Island Foundation and an active state-wide Advisory Council was established.
The RI Department of Human Services (DHS) began providing continuation funding for the Providence Clothing Collaborative in 1998. Outgrowing its space at the YMCA, the program then moved to a location on Cedar Street, in the Federal Hill area of Providence in June of 1999. In Fall of 2001, with the acquisition of Dorcas Place's new center at 220 Elmwood Ave., the Clothing Collaborative relocated to its current and permanent home, allowing for greater coordination with other Dorcas Place programs.
In 1999, DHS provided expansion funding to establish a system of satellites throughout RI. Today, it is a statewide network of five sites and is completely funded by DHS. The five sites together constitute the Clothing Collaborative Network, which now has a roster of over 200 member or collaborating agencies, including government entities, social service agencies, educational institutions and businesses. Member agencies refer clients to the Collaborative for help in preparing for job interviews and employment, certifying that the client is "transitioning" and in need of assistance.
Since December 1997, the Clothing Collaborative Network has assisted over 5,000 low income adults with the necessary clothing and accessories for their efforts at employment and increased self-sufficiency. All four sites receive and distribute new and used donated, quality clothing, at no cost to clients, for use in job training programs, interviews, and employment.
The Clothing Collaborative has many volunteer opportunities with flexible hours around your availability. Some of these volunteer jobs include:
Administrative Assistant
Receptionist and greeter to answer telephones and perform light clerical duties.
Program Assistant
Sorts and displays clothing stock; assists with showroom design and maintenance. Speakers to facilitate support groups such as: stress management and relaxation, image consultation, basic mending skills, etc.
Clothing Donations
Individuals, local businesses and religious groups donate the clothing provided to our clients. Without their generosity we would be unable to address the professional attire needs of the low-income adults we aim to serve. Please note the following guidelines for donations of clothing to The Clothing Collaborative:
Donations must be clean, ready-to-wear, in-season, and on hangers. Accessories and sweaters in bags or boxes are fine.
The Providence Clothing Collaborative alone receives hundreds of clothing donations each year with an estimated in-kind value in excess of $100,000 per year. Thank you for thinking of the Clothing Collaborative Network for your next clothing donation.
Please do not hesitate to call the Clothing Collaborative network site nearest you if you have any questions regarding making a donation.
In order to obtain verification of your contribution for tax purposes:
Westerly Area Rest Meals(WARM) Shelter
ATTIRE FOR HIRE
56 Spruce Street, Westerly, RI 02891
(401) 596-6710
Contact:Joy Cordio
Self Help, Inc./East Bay
THE CAREER CLOSET
14 Child Street
Warren, RI 02885
(401) 247-0348
Contact: Audrey Field
Dorcas Place Adult & Family Learning Center, Inc.
THE CLOTHING COLLABORATIVE
220 Elmwood Avenue
Providence, RI 02907
(401) 421-5753
Contact: Wendy Warlick
Retired Seniors Volunteer
Programs (RSVP)
SUCCESS WEAR
84 Social Street
Woonsocket, RI 02895
(401) 671-6114
Contact: Charles Ryan
Westbay Community Action, Inc.
WARDROBE
212 Buttonwood Avenue
Warwick, RI 02886
(401)732-1666 x154
Contact: Susan Lewis
©2004 Dorcas Place Adult & Family Learning Center, Inc. . 220 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02907 . phone: 401-273-8866