Fashion - Career Wardrobe

2015 Annual Report
Philanthr
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Fashion
Using Clothing to Inspire Change
A letter from our Board President, Veronica McKee
It may seem as though the entire world has changed in the past several years, and if you speak to a young person who is just turning 21 this year, they probably wouldn’t recognize many aspects of the world you and I grew up in. Although a lot has changed
during Career Wardrobe’s 21 years in Philadelphia we recognize one important constant -- we cannot achieve our mission
alone. That is why we are so grateful to have people like you representing our long-term relationships with companies,
foundations, civic groups, individuals, social service agencies, job training programs, and retailers.
In 2015, Career Wardrobe repositioned for the future. We closed our 12th Street facility and co-located with The Wardrobe
Boutique, our resale and consignment shop that has been operating at the corner of 19th and Spring Garden since 2009. This
move created more space for Career Wardrobe’s expanding operations and inspired a new way of thinking about customer
service and our mission. Now all women, whether shopping with a referral or cash, are seen in the Boutique amidst rack after rack
of gorgeous clothing.
Our move also allowed us to set up a dedicated space for Make It Work, our men’s dressing program! We started testing this
program one year ago, and to date we’ve dressed nearly 100 men for new jobs and interviews. As we embark on our 21st year
there is a feeling of excitement everywhere we go. We’re adding new programs, adjusting the ones we’ve got, and reaching out
to new communities in 2016. Look for our services to expand to five surrounding counties this spring, and for our programs in
the School District of Philadelphia.
Expect even more positive change this year as we keep pace with the other thing that never seems to change
-- the goals of the people we serve. Their goals are the goals we all share; to look and feel prepared for a big
job interview… to make a great impression at a new job… to provide for their families and stop the cycle of
poverty. At Career Wardrobe, we have believed in these goals for 21 years, and our customers deserve nothing
less! It has been a pleasure to serve this organization and its community as board president for the past four
years, and although I may be handing the reins over to Erica Spizzirri, our highly capable and experienced
incoming president, my heart remains with Career Wardrobe’s mission.
er
Volunte
Insight
“Several possibilities for giving came to mind while contemplating activities for my
life after retirement. All of which were both gratifying and rewarding.
But none
were as satisfying as the possibility of giving my time and skills to help someone to
succeed in improving their quality of life. Career Wardrobe has helped me to fulfill that desire while
acquainting me with many interesting people who value the same sense of sharing and caring
that inspires me. Knowing that I am doing good and needed work that helps someone to succeed
makes my life feel meaningful. “
-- Jacqueline Dawsey
Career Wardrobe Volunteer
hlights
Program Hig
Recognizing Hope is a graduation ceremony for clients who earn our Professional
Development Certificate by completing the Gateway to Success program as
well as a celebration for those that have gained employment or graduated from
college. We held our second Recognizing Hope event in 2015 to celebrate with
clients and their families.
Celebrating our graduates from our
Recognizing Hope event
Participants during their mini-makeovers
with Shear Ingenuity during Work It!
Smart & Sexy© Day focuses on body image and
finding internal motivation. This year, 30 women
participated to receive support and inspiration as
they continue on their journeys. Guest speakers
Jen Croneberger and Lauren Simmonds, The
Fearless Fashionista, shared their experiences and
advice. It is graciously sponsored by Ariela & Associates
International through the Alliance of Career
Development Nonprofits.
Our Work It! event is dedicated to creating a
Client models for the
Smart
& Sexy Day fashion
professional first impression. Carrie Spaulding,
presentation
The Thirty-Something Coach, discussed inner
confidence and Donna Serdula, author of LinkedIn Makeover, showed how to utilize
LinkedIn. 25 attendees worked with volunteers from Comcast to set up their
LinkedIn profiles, sat with EY volunteers to practice in-person networking
techniques, got mini-makovers from the women of Shear Ingenuity, and received a
professional head shot from photographer Drew Callaghan. The empowering day
culminated in a networking opportunity with our corporate supporters and board.
When Shaina Rykard first came to Career Wardrobe through the Suburban Station CareerLink as an intern,
she was nervous. “I’ve never been in retail! I wasn’t sure what to expect.” But when it came to helping
others, it was automatic. “I liked helping the women find an outfit. I liked talking to them,
getting to know them, and helping them change their perspective about business attire.”
She initially had doubts about participating in the Gateway to Success Job Readiness course. “I
thought, I’ve heard it all before, but tried to keep an open mind. I always felt job searching was like
throwing your name into a hat, but after the job search workshop, I got more focused. I started
using LinkedIn and linked up with a temp agency and that led to a temp position at the
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. At the end of the temp period, they asked me to stay and
now I’m in their Early Childhood Development Associates Program. It’s a dream job!
Shaina Rykard former
Career Wardrobe
intern
Everyone always hears be patient, good things will come your way...but it’s true! Stay open and be
patient. I didn’t believe it at first either, but it really does happen. Thank you, Career Wardrobe!”
upport
Community S
Accenture believes everyone should have the skills to succeed, including
Career Wardrobe's deserving clients! Not only does Accenture support the
Gateway to Success Program through their corporate giving intiative,
they also serve as the lead sponsor for our yearly client recognition event,
Recognizing Hope, which celebrates the achievements of the people we serve.
Accenture also volunteers for our monthly Blitz Basics Seminars,
providing invaluable one-on-one support to job-seekers, and regularly
holds company-wide clothing drives to help our clients look their best!
It’s easy to get your company involved! Contact our Development Manager,
Rae Pagliarulo (215-568-6693 or rae@careerwardrobe.org) for details!
Thank You!
Abby Siegel-Greenberg
$ Accenture
ACE Group
AIG
Albridge
$ Allen Hilles Fund
Ann Kelly
Ann Taylor Loft
Ballard Spahr
Beth Dupree
Cari Feiler Bender
Carole Kindling
CH2M Hill
Christine Jereb
Comcast
$ Comcast Corporation
Internet Essentials Program
Converge HR
Debbie Brodsky
Dechert LLP
Donna Liggon
Dow Chemical Co
Drexel University Phi Mu Beta Tau
Drexel University Faculty
$ Drinker Biddle
$ Einstein Healthcare Network
Elizabeth Moore
Erica Spizzirri
Eva Jackson
$ EY
EY WINSS Group
Fearless Athletics
Germantown Academy
Women’s Networking Group
Global Tax Management
Healthcare Business Women’s
Association
Jacqui Wiltshire
Janney Montgomery Scott
Janssen
Jennifer Fusco
Kathleen MacWilliams
Kelley McKee
Latrice Boutique
$ Laura J. Niles Foundation
LevLane Advertising
Linda McAleer
$ Lois G. and Julian A. Brodsky
Foundation
Manor College
Marino’s Body Shop
$ Mary Margaret Smith Trust
Melinda Berkman
Melissa Herd
Melissa Novak
Men’s Usher Ministry
$ Merck & Co., Inc.
Michele Mayne & Chris Urban
Missy Logan
Monika and Tim Panger
National Epicureans
Philadelphia Chapter
Patricia & John Cole
$ PECO
Penn Mutual
Pershing
$ Pew Fund for Health and
Human Services
Philabundance
Philadelphia Area Meeting
Professionals International
AnnaMarie DelCasale and Danielle Fox of
Accenture pose with Hope at our
Recognizing Hope event
Philadelphia Contributionship
$ Philadelphia Foundation
PJM Interconnection
$ QVC
Rachel Catto
Radian LINK Network
Jill Bronson and Elizabeth Diffley host
$ Samuel S. Fels Fund
a Drinker Biddle event for
$ SAP
Career Wardrobe
Sassy Diva Network
Sheri K. Cole
Sheryl Williams
St. Joseph’s University Alpha Phi
Stantec
Stephanie Pearson
Successful Women
Achieving Goals
Swarovski
$ The Connelly Foundation
ACE Group show how much
The Judge Group
fun it is to host a
clothing drive
TIFF Advisory Services
Trinseo
University of Maryland Alumni
University of Pennsylvania Penn Weekend Service
Vanguard
Veronica McKee
Virtua Health
$ W. W. Smith Charitable Trust
Wendi Barish
Wharton Women in Business
The EY Philly WINSS group loves
volunteering at The Wardrobe
Workday HR
Boutique
Zachary Golen
$ - Organizations that donated $5,000 or more
- Organizations that held clothing drives
- Individuals that donated $1,000 or more
President: Veronica McKee, Berkadia
Vice President: Erica Spizzirri, Thomas Edison
State College
Secretary: Melissa Herd, US Department of Health
and Human Services
Treasurer: Ann Kelly, UGI Utilities
me together to
Our community ca
support change!
Career Wardrobe Staff
Sheri K. Cole, Executive Director
Caitlin Garozzo, Program Director
Ken Fenimore, Program Manager
Heather Bennett, Operations and Marketing
Manager
Rae Pagliarulo, Development Manager
Marieta Hurtado, Wardrobe Boutique Manager
Lesley Elam, Program Associate
Christine Richman, Database and Outcomes
Associate
Michelle Moore, Scheduling Assistant
Empowering Tea
Wendi Barish, Philadelphia Housing Authority
Andrea M. Blassingame, Project Forward Leap
Debbie Brodsky, Julian A. and Lois G. Brodsky
Foundation
Krishna Deva, Wharton Visiting Board Member
Jenny Fusco, EY
Kira Gerbron, Pivot Leadership
Debra Hoffman, The Emerson Group
Christine Jereb, Comcast Corporation
Donna Liggon, The Training Partners
Kathleen MacWilliams, PECO
Linda McAleer, The Melior Group
Josie Marian, InstaMed
Melissa Novak, Hawthorn PNC Family Wealth
Angela Travagline, GlaxoSmithKline
Events
A Perfect Fit
Board of Directors
2015 Revenue - $1,588,366
Clothing Donations
Boutique Sales
Corporations
Earned Income (incl Events)
Foundations
Government Grants
Individuals
2015 Expenses - $1,600,407
1822 Spring Garden Street, 3rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-568-6693 • info@CareerWardrobe.org
CareerWardrobe.org
Dressing Program
Education Program
General Operations
* Includes donations of clothing valued at $866,548.