Proudly entering in their seventh year of partnership, local retailer, Anne Waters of Anne’s on the Avenue along with AM 800CKLW and IXL Cleaners are continuing their annual efforts during the month of August to encourage women in the community to donate their new or gently used professional attire. The clothing will aid in assisting women looking for a more polished image in their job search and starting new jobs through the established Ready for Work – Clothing Exchange Program of Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST).
Thanks to community partners and generous individuals in the community, target goals established in previous years were exceeded. This year the organizers have established their target goal to collect 4,000 business suits and related accessories with optimism for continued support from the community. In addition to individuals, local businesses are invited to host a clothing drive as a way to showcase their support for the women in the community. All sizes from petite to plus are needed.
The clothes are being donated to the established Ready for Work –
Clothing Exchange Program offered through Women’s
Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST) who will distribute them
free of charge. In 2011, WEST assisted over 300 women attain professional
attire through this service. With the number of job seekers in Windsor-Essex,
demand for the service is growing in comparison to previous years. In addition
to the clothing program, WEST offers women a wide range of career support and
skills development programs available at no cost which are designed improve the
employability of women in need.
Donations of clothing can be dropped off at Anne’s on the Avenue 344 Manning Road, Tecumseh; IXL Cleaners locations, 1409 Tecumseh Rd East, 2845 Howard Ave. or 2991 Dominion Blvd. and at the WEST office, 647 Ouellette Avenue, Suite 201. Women looking for work who are in need of professional attire should call the WEST office at (519) 256-6621.
Clothing donations will be accepted until August 31, 2012.
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by Richard Rosenthal
