Statement on PA Budget Proposal

The following letter was sent to Governor Rendell and the PA Legislature, imploring them to consider the needs of The Career Wardrobe's constituents as they work to pass the PA budget.  We cannot afford to let our safety net erode in a time of economic crisis when more families need our support.  Contact your representatives today to let them know what you think of the PA budget!

Dear Governor Rendell:

At The Career Wardrobe, we see how the current economic environment is affecting single mothers who are struggling now more than ever to make ends meet and transition into the workforce. We know that the budget you originally submitted to the legislature takes the needs of our most vulnerable Pennsylvanian’s into account. The proposals currently being considered, however, will negatively impact the thousands of Pennsylvania families who are already struggling to survive in this difficult economy.

Because of this, we implore you, along with our Representatives and Senators, to consider the long and short-term consequences of your actions as you reach an agreement on the Pennsylvania budget. Every cut to social services and public assistance today may force another woman and her family to fall through a safety net riddled with holes, leading to long-term expenses for the state and tax payers.

The Career Wardrobe is part of the safety net for 7,500 women transitioning to work.

This year marks The Career Wardrobe’s 15th anniversary and celebrates the accomplishments of over 50,000 women who have benefited from our services to make a positive first impression, obtain and retain employment. Through our collaboration with job training programs and other social service agencies throughout Philadelphia over 30,000 women have successfully transitioned to work, saving taxpayers at least $311 million in direct public benefits.

The Career Wardrobe has done this with virtually no government funding, and there are hundreds of agencies like us throughout the state of Pennsylvania that bring together public and private support to help families living in poverty. But as the recession affects more of our donors – individuals, foundations and corporations – we will need the support of the state and federal government to make our ends meet and ensure that families receive the help they need to continue breaking the cycle of poverty in this difficult job market.

The Career Wardrobe has a proven model that works to support women in finding employment as 60% of our clients are now working full-time and over 60% are earning over minimum wage. In addition we prepare women to be competitive in fields such as administration, hospitality and health care that have the best opportunity for promotion and long-term financial stability. 

The Career Wardrobe has seen increasing demand for services, coinciding with a decrease in private support.

In the past year, The Career Wardrobe and our partners helping families in poverty have seen drastic increases in demand for services, coinciding with a decrease in support from the private sector and now, possibly, cuts from the public sector, too. In 2008, over 50% more women have been referred to The Career Wardrobe than in 2007. Increasingly we are being called upon onto assist women who have been in the workforce for years and whose jobs were downsized due to the recession. These are women who may not need public assistance if they are able to quickly and successfully obtain employment with The Career Wardrobe’s help.

Anyone who has ever lost their job knows that it’s a crushing blow to your self confidence. At The Career Wardrobe we help women improve their self confidence by assisting them with one-on-one resume support, educational programming that help them improve their communication, time-management, financial literacy and other skills critical to retaining employment.

As most doctors know, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The Career Wardrobe and our partners helping women to prepare for the workforce are a critical part of our state’s safety net for families affected by the recession. Please continue to support and advocate for full funding of the programs that allow us to do our best for the women and families in Pennsylvania.

Sincerely,

Sheri K. Cole, MA
Executive Director

CC: Senators: Dominic Pileggi, Robert Mellow, Jake Corman, Jay Costa
Representatives: Keith McCall, Speaker, Todd Eachus, Samuel Smith, Dwight Evans, Mario Civera, Jr.
PA State Legislature

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