Volunteer Self Guided Orientation

When was it founded?

The Career Wardrobe, formerly known as 'The Working Wardrobe' was founded in 1995 by a group of professional women who wanted to address the needs of economically disadvantaged women in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Since 1995, The Career Wardrobe has provided over 70,000 women with the clothing and confidence they need to successfully enter the workforce.
Approximately, 4,000 outfitted and 1,500 educated per year.

What is the Career Wardrobe?

1. The Career Wardrobe is a non-profit organization that empowers low-income women returning to the workforce to succeed by providing professional clothing and workshops to educate and inspire women towards an independent future.
2. The Career Wardrobe provides free, interview and job training appropriate clothing and support services to women actively seeking employment. Participants are referred for service by an approved job-training program or social service agency.
3. The Career Wardrobe works in partnership with thousands of women and in partnership with over 130 job training programs, domestic violence shelters, and other social service agencies throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, offering the positive and supportive environment critical for a woman's individual success.
4. The Career Wardrobe produces Gateway to Success Seminar Series, which educates women on the life and work skills necessary for them to successfully maintain employment.

Where is it located?

21 South 12th Street
Suite 110
Philadelphia, PA 19107
T: 215-568-6693
F: 215-568-5998
E-Mail: tcw@careerwardrobe.org
www.careerwardrobe.org

Personnel Support

1. The Career Wardrobe currently has 9 paid employees.
2. Volunteers
   (to read more about specific opportunities click the title)

    

   1. Suite Staff/Donation Assistant — volunteers donate their time, on a regular/scheduled basis, to help dress the client and/or provide support and service. Or, volunteers donate their time monthly at any clothing drive location to help donors and sort donations.
   2. Committee member — volunteers donate their time to help with specified needs and tasks according to the focus of the group.
   3. Skills Building Support — volunteers donate their time to work one on one with clients reviewing resumes and answering job search questions.
3. Internships
   
   1. The Career Wardrobe works with job training programs and local colleges to provide unpaid work experience to participants/students. These participants are hired through an interview process and will work up to 30 hours a week as 'Suite Staff' in the Philadelphia office.

Dressing Appointments

1. Clients are accepted by appointment only. Over 130 social services, job training agencies, and domestic violence shelters in Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery and Chester counties refer participants.
2. Job seeking clients receive one-on-one image consultation with Suite Staff members and are eligible to receive one business suit and matching accessories, as inventory allows.
3. Employed of Job Training clients are eligible for a week's worth of work appropriate outfits and matching accessories, as inventory allows.

"SuitUp!" Workshops

The Career Wardrobe offers 45 minute "dressing to impress" workshop on-site at referral partner agencies. These workshops provide an overview of The Career Wardrobe's services and importance of professional dress, appearance, and hygiene.

Gateway to Success Seminars

Workshops presented by volunteers, trained and knowledgeable in their industry. Topics range from money management to body and health issues. Seminars are free, on a first-come-first-serve basis to women who register through a participating referral partner.

Beauty Basics

Participants are treated to personal beauty products when inventory allows and tip sheets provided by the Cosmetics, Toiletry and Fragrance Association's "Work Your Image" program.

Professional Women's Network

A client-based alumni group designed to encourage, guide and motivate women as they make their transitions to the workforce. Members are invited to monthly 'Women on the Rise' breakfasts, receive discounts at Career Wardrobe events, and are encouraged to use the Client Help Desk to receive guidance with their resumés, business etiquette questions, and participate in mock interviews.

Monthly Clothing Drives

Other Donation Times

Corporate Drives

Corporations, social and religious organizations conduct targeted drives to assist the inventory needs. Heather Bennett, Operations and Marketing Manager, must coordinate drives by calling 215-568-6693 or by e-mailing hbennett@careerwardrobe.org.

Primary Contact

Lesley Elam, Client Services and Inventory Coordinator

Phone: 215-568-6693

Our Coordinator has a general knowledge of how the suite operates and what needs to be done on a daily basis. Please make her your primary contact for tasks and assignment.

Questions regarding sorting

• Ask yourself 'would I wear this on an interview?'
• If you find yourself thinking 'well, someone can use this...' donate it on further.
• If there are stains, tears, missing buttons, torn hems — throw it away.
• If you're unsure, ask a co-worker working with you for their opinion.
• If you find yourself thinking too hard, or too long about the item, donate it on further

Questions regarding dressing

• Ask yourself, 'if I was in the position to hire someone, would this outfit be appropriate?'
• Have the client sit to see where the skirt lands, if it's too tight, etc...
• Kindly suggest she try on another outfit, or item of clothing that you feel is more suitable.
• Pick out an item you think is more appropriate and say you'd like to see her try it on.
• Tactfully pull another volunteer aside and ask if she would suggest another outfit.
• Basically, be polite and try to get her to choose something else without making her feel insecure about her tastes.
• Rely on what you know and make your best judgment.
• If they are determined to take the initial outfit, they can take the initial outfit.

Questions about tasks or assignments

• Check with another volunteer or intern to see if they need assistance
• Check the dressing suite for over-stuffed/under-utilized clothing racks
• Check that items are hanging on the proper hangers, in the same direction, and in correct size locations
• Check to see that all participant handouts/flyers are in stock/created
• Check inventory of supply items
• Check that all items and trash is cleared from the dressing rooms
• Check with the Administrative Assistant

Other questions

Of course, if there is a matter of personal or private nature, feel free to set up a convenient time to discuss the matter(s) and we will work through whatever the issue is to the best of our abilities.

The Career Wardrobe strives to create a positive and productive environment for our staff, interns, volunteers and participants. The policies outlines below constitute a code of conduct for all Career Wardrobe representatives. Failure to adhere to them may result in immediate dismissal or, in the case of participants, denial of services.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

The Career Wardrobe prohibits discrimination against interns, staff, volunteers and participants based on any legally protected classification (such as race, national origin, sex, religion or creed).

These policies and provisions contained here apply to every aspect of agency programs, practices, and activities, including service delivery.

Specifically, no person within The Career Wardrobe will intentionally commit any of the following acts for reasons prohibited by this policy:

• Make any comments or display or distribute any materials that constitute unlawful harassment based on an individual's membership in a legally protected class.
• Deny a person any service or other program benefits based on the individual's legally protected classification.

A Career Wardrobe employee, intern, volunteer, or participant who has become aware of violations of their provision has the affirmative obligation to report the conduct to their immediate supervisor, or if the supervisor is engrossed in the conduct, to another member of staff or Board of Directors.

Grievance Policy

PROBLEM RESOLUTION PROCESS

The Career Wardrobe interns, volunteers or participants who believe they have been treated unfairly are encouraged to utilize the following problem resolution process:

1. In the event an intern/volunteer/participant believes she or he has been treated unfairly, the intern/volunteer/participant should discuss the situation with her or his immediate supervisor in an effort to resolve the issue.
2. If a resolution cannot be reached through discussion with the supervisor, the intern/volunteer/participant should put the complaint in writing to the supervisor. The supervisor is then required to respond in writing within 10 days.
3. If a resolution has not been reached, the intern/volunteer/participant should present the written material (her or his complaint and supervisor's response) to the Executive Director within 10 days of receiving the supervisor's response. The intern/volunteer/participant must notify the supervisor of this action.
4. The Executive Director will respond to both parties within 10 days of receiving the complaint.
5. If the Executive Director cannot resolve the complain, or if the complaint involves the Executive Director, the intern/volunteer/participant may present the complaint to the President of the Board of Directors. The President will review any complaint brought before it and will respond in writing to the parties concerned within 15 days of receiving the complaint. The decision of the President are final.

There will be no retaliation of any kind against an intern/volunteer/participant for bringing up complaints under this procedure.

Theft/Stealing

Theft/Stealing from The Career Wardrobe or from other employees, interns, volunteers, or participants will not be tolerated. Items (including clothing & accessories) may not be removed from company premises without approval.

Because of The Career Wardrobe's desire to prevent and detect theft, your terms and conditions of employment include private, confidential interviews when theft is suspected, routine searches of the workplace, and electronic surveillance.

Stealing is grounds for immediate termination. The Career Wardrobe reserves the right to press criminal charges if warranted.

Dress Code

All Career Wardrobe representatives must present a professional image to the public — be it accepting donations or dressing program participants.

To help present this image and foster confidence, interns/volunteers must dress appropriate to the type of work they do. Shoes are required and must also be well maintained. Good grooming is required.

In compliance with this policy, the following are examples of unacceptable attire:

• Torn, patched/faded clothing
• Shorts
• Halter tops
• Shirts with slogans or large-letter advertising
• Tube tops
• Sweat suits/warm-up suits, sweat pants
• Muscle shirts
• Thong-type sandals, flip-flops
• Strapless sundresses
• Jeans of any color

Probationary Period

Every 'Boutique Staffer' volunteer/intern is required to successfully complete a probationary period which shall be of sufficient length to enable The Career Wardrobe to observe the volunteer's ability to perform the various duties pertaining to the position. This probationary period shall be no longer than three months, and no less than one month.

At any time during the probationary period The Career Wardrobe may remove a volunteer or intern if, in the opinion of the volunteer supervisor, the volunteer is unable or unwilling to perform the duties of the position satisfactorily.