Dressed for success courtesy of Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
In the six weeks since the beginning of this year's Suits for Success program, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has collected over 200 pieces of clothing for men and women looking to re-enter the work force.
"I'm very pleased with the response we're getting," said Alicia Gardner, who is coordinating the program for Register of Deeds William O'Donnell. "It almost got a little overwhelming. Almost daily I was getting phone calls."
"People really are trying to reach out to help, and it's an effective way for people to help," Gardner added.
People can donate clothes at the Registry of Deeds, at 649 High St. in Dedham, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule a drop-off time, call Gardner, the Registry's director of support services, at 781-461-6104, or e-mail agardner@norfolkdeeds.org.
Gardner described herself as a "conduit" between the Registry and two regional groups that provide the free business attire. "The Career Closet" at Interfaith Social Services helps low-income women choose outfits appropriate for employment interviews, and the Father Bills & MainSpring shelter helps men in its transitional work program get proper clothes for job searches.
Gardner said she made a trip last week to Father Bills' Brockton office to drop off clothes, and yesterday took women's clothing to the Career Closet, in Quincy.
At the Career Closet, women are given five days' worth of clothing, enough to wear something different for each day of the workweek, said Gardner.
"We all want to make a good first impression, and wearing appropriate clothes can also make you feel good about yourself," said O'Donnell, the county register.
Tom Washington, the director of community relations for Father Bills & MainSpring, said his organization mostly directs the clothes to formerly homeless men who are a part of the transitional work program or have graduated from it. But the clothes are available to anyone at Father Bills looking to return to work, he said.
"It's a perfect fit for these guys to grab a suit, or a jacket and tie, and look presentable," Washington said.
Men choose what they want on a case-by-case basis, he added.
Gardner said Suits for Success was previously run in conjunction with local rotary clubs. After the Rotarians said last fall that they would not be doing the program anymore, the Registry of Deeds took the lead, announcing the return of Suits for Success in mid-January.
Gardner said donated clothes should be something that can be worn to job interviews, and in ready-to-wear condition - cleaned, pressed, and on hangars. All donations are tax-deductible.
The Registry has received ladies' apparel including blouses, skirts, slacks, sweaters, pants, handbags and scarves, and men's suits, jackets, and dress and casual shirts. One man gave a box of 20 Brooks Brothers ties.
To learn more about the two service organizations, see www.fatherbillsmainspring.org and www.interfaithsocialservices.org.
Daily News Transcript staff writer Edward B. Colby can be reached at 781-433-8336 or ecolby@cnc.com.