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.

The Statewide Network

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 2,500 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.

Hours of Operation

The Providence Clothing Collaborative is open from 9:00AM to 2:00PM Monday through Friday and Wednesday evening from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Referrals and donors should call to schedule an appointment in order to ensure our availability. We can be reached at 401-421-5753.

Volunteering

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, religious groups and local businesses donate the clothing provided to clients. Without the generosity of the community, we would be unable to address the professional attire needs of low-income adults. Donations of office attire and accessories, for men and women, are needed. Suits, dresses, blouses and shirts, as well as skirts and dress slacks are always in demand. In addition, we have a special need for the following types of donations:

• scrubs for clients pursuing training in the health care industry
• uniform items for non-traditional occupations such as welding.
• plus-size professional office attire for women
• business casual attire in all sizes such as khaki pants, Dockers, neat jeans, flat shoes, casual shirts, blouses, sweaters, and blazers/jackets.

The Providence Clothing Collaborative alone is receiving hundreds of clothing donations from individuals, company clothing drives and retail outlets with an estimated in-kind value in excess of $60,000 per year. Donations are most helpful if they are delivered on hangers and ready to wear. In this way, they can go more quickly to the showroom and to many clients who need them. Because we have no space for storage, this is extremely important.

Donation Verification Form

In order to obtain verification of your contribution for tax purposes:
1. Download donation form. This is a .pdf file, requiring Acrobat Reader.
2. Print form.
3. Complete form and submit with clothing donations.
4. This also expedites processing your tax verification letter.

RHODE ISLAND Network Locations: 

ATTIRE FOR HIRE  56 Spruce Street, Westerly, RI 02891 (401) 596-9276 Contact Marie Jo De Maestri. www.jbwarm@verizon.net

THE CAREER CLOSET 14 Child Street, Warren, RI 02885 (401) 247-0348 Contact Joanne Tavares www.afield@ebcap.org

CLOTHING COLLABORATIVE  220 Elmwood Avenue Providence, RI 02907 (401) 421-5753 Contact Eva Motch emotch@dorcasplace.org

SUCCESS WEAR 84 Social Street Woonsocket, RI 02895 (401) 766-2300 Contact: Rosemarie Davis www.RSVP_RSVA@hotmail.com

WORKING WARDROBE 224 Buttonwood Avenue, Warwick, RI 02886 (401) 732-4666 Contact Jessie Ealy www.jessie@westbay.org

Beacon Mutual Insurance Company held a clothing drive to benefit the Clothing Collaborative Network.We are very appreciative of the time and effort that it took to organize such a large clothing drive. The amount and caliber of clothing was tremendous. This donation helped to stock the showroom for the opening of our fifth location.

They are committed to helping men and women transition into the workforce in the East Bay area. We thank Beacon Mutual and each of their employees for their generous donation and for helping make the East Bay site a success. We cannot do it without wonderful partners such as you.

Donations from Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI just keep coming!

We are so appreciative of the time and effort that BCBSRI employees put into a clothing drive. It is a joy to participate with such an enthusiastic group of people who are committed to serving this important community need. Groups of people such as BCBS employees are crucial to the survival of this program.

Everything that BCBSRI does is first class! We give our heartfelt thanks, admiration and gratitude to ALL of the employees who so willingly give, including those who deliver the wonderful donations following each clothing drive.

The BCBSRI Employee Association has also made a generous $700 donation to the Clothing Collaborative. The donated funds were collected from their casual dress day, where employees donate a dollar each week to dress casually on Fridays. These funds will contribute greatly to further enhancing Clothing Collaborative programs and services.

We are flattered that the Blue Angels have taken us under their wings. Again, our heartfelt thanks to a wonderful company with a huge heart.

Rhode Island Hospital donated over 1000 pieces of scrubs and shoes to help outfit CNA students and others starting work and training in the medical field. We thanks Rhode Island Hospital and staff for the generous donations that we received. 

Terrie Browne, a former Clothing Collaborative staff member, has helped us in so many ways. Terrie was instrumental in getting the program off the ground and has been providing ongoing support ever since. In fact, it seems that she is always in the process of gathering clothing to donate: Terrie collects clothing from her friends and neighbors year-round, which she stores in her own home and donates once or twice a year; she has also coordinated a clothing drive at Bryant College, her current place of employment. Many thanks go to Terrie for her contributions over the years and her continued commitment to the program.

Fleet Bank was the very first financial supporter of the Clothing Collaborative at its inception in 1996. They provided three years of seed funding to launch the program and have been helping in various ways ever since. Most recently, Fleet employees Melanie DeBarros, Branch Manager at Atwells Avenue, and Sandra Mazo, Branch Manager in Central Falls, have served on the Clothing Collaborative Advisory Committee. Here they provided ongoing support and helped to coordinate some incredible donations, including the donation of medical scrubs. We are very lucky to have such a great relationship with Fleet. We thank them for all they have done and for their ongoing support.

Sherry Wilder and Janet Moy of EFD, a Nordson company, have organized their company's resources to donate clothing and funds to our program. At each of EFD's three facilities, Sherry and Janet set up boxes in which employees could place their donations. In all they collected four large boxes of clothing to help stock our showroom. In addition, EFD employees are able to submit the names of organizations they give their time and energy to for Nordson's "Time 'n Talent" grant. Time 'n Talent (T'nT) is the Nordson Corporation employee volunteer program that links their employees with volunteer opportunities in the community and generates new community service projects. In all, 50 organizations are chosen by Nordson and their subsidiaries to receive grants, and each is awarded a check for $1,000. The Clothing Collaborative was extremely grateful to be one of seven organizations nominated by EFD to be given this grant and are proud to be worthy of their "time and talent." Thanks to Sherry and Janet for their work and for including us in EFD's generosity.