Clothes That Work is a nonprofit organization providing professional clothing, image counseling and training for job seekers in the Miami Valley. Additionally, the organization conducts educational workshops to improve interview skills and appropriate professional behavior to meet employers’ expectations.
“Most of us don’t really think about it, but the greatest barrier to employment often can be an interview outfit,” says executive director Cindy Garner. “In 1998, a group of 13 local women realized they could help by providing clothing and coaching to help those in need get and keep a job.”
Since that time Clothes That Work has helped over 30,000 men, women and independent teens.
The organization started out as “women helping women.”
“In 2005, we also started serving men,” explains Garner. “Now men are 53 percent of the clients we serve. We are one of the few places that serves men in this way.”
Garner says clients are so appreciative for the care and service the volunteers provide. “It takes seven seconds to make an impression on a potential employer,” she notes. “A few years ago, one client attended a job fair for Fuyao. We provided an interview outfit and coaching tips for the interview process. There were 200 people in line the next day, but he had been coached, had confidence, looked great. So, they pulled him out of line and gave him an interview right away and he got the job! He asked, ‘Why me?’ They said it was because he was the only person who took the time and cared enough about the job to dress for it. That’s why we do what we do.”