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12/16/2009 01:29 PM

Help Others Dress for Success This Holiday Season

By: Dan Smith

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You can give the gift of self-confidence this holiday season.

The Volunteers of America's "Your Caring Gifts" campaign, sponsored by YNN, helps people pick themselves up and get back to work.

The Volunteers of America relies on donations to fill its Working Wardrobe.

"The Working Wardrobe provides interview attire for people going back into the workforce," said Gail Berkes, Working Wardrobe program manager.

"I can't afford to go buy clothes," said Jennifer Somora, Working Wardrobe client.

She got a referral to the Working Wardrobe as part of a professional office careers internship program.

Clients first meet with an image consultant.

"Their personal shopper or dresser that helps them make sure that they are dressed appropriate for an interview," Berkes explained.

"I may have just looked like a girl who walked in wearing her mother's suit trying to get a job," Somora said. "Not very professional."

The VOA's Working Wardrobe provides the entire package from top to bottom for men and women.

"Makeup, earrings, necklace watches, shoes, socks, undergarments - we do everything," said Berkes.

The Working Wardrobe paid off for Jennifer.

"I actually landed a job at Prudential Cares Realty," she said.

It's a success story the Volunteers of America likes to hear.

"The first impression is always a lasting impression. We want to make sure that our people make a good first impression, that they dress to impress," said Berkes.

The VOA has Working Wardrobes in Warsaw, Canandaigua, and Rochester.

Volunteers of America workers say they are on track this year to serve more than last year's 961 Working Wardrobe clients.

To donate to the "Your Caring Gifts" campaign, call (585) 647-1150, or visit voawny.org.