Dress to Impress
(SEMA-VAV)
Goal surpassed!
SEMA-VAV sincerely thanks all those who participated and helped bring the Dress to Impress project to a successful beginning. On Make a Difference Day we were able to coordinate 337 complete interview outfits with enough materials for at least another 100. The goal had been 250! And more business attire donations continue to come in.
A Gift of Hope 2006
November 2006
Congratulations and thank you to all who participated in this project. We have far exceeded our goal! Dress to Impress is in a transition time while we set up commercial strength racks and sort and hang more of the donated business attire. We'll post the updated schedule ASAP. Thank you for your patience.
With gratitude,
Annemarie Matulis, CEO & Founder
Southeastern Massachusetts Voices Against Violence (SEMA-VAV)
Dress to Impress was a 2006 National Make a Difference Day Project that will continue year round.
First impressions can make or break an interview...
Purpose of the project:
First impressions can make or break a job interview. Dress to Impress will respond to the needs of qualified residents within the Greater Taunton and Attleboro communities who are entering or re-entering the workforce by providing off-the-rack quality business attire. This public service will be at no cost to the referred client, coordinated by volunteers and fills a much-needed gap in resources.
Background:
While this attire for hire project has been discussed for several years within both the GATHER VP/DV and SEMA-VAV committees (now consolidated into one coalition, SEMA-VAV), the need for this service is not restricted to domestic violence or crime victims. There is, in fact, a much larger population who will benefit – low to moderate-income residents who are entering or returning to the workforce. These women and men will be referred by an array of agencies and organizations, for example, the Taunton and Attleboro Career Centers, Taunton School to Careers, Massachusetts School of Information Technology, unemployment, Department of Transitional Assistance, Mass Rehab Commission, Associates for Human Services, veterans agents, shelters, GED programs, to name a few.
SEMA-VAV respectfully requests your support to bring this much-needed service to our community. The goal is to offer each person at least one interview-ready outfit at no cost. SEMA-VAV will continue to seek grants & community donations to offset operating expenses.
When is this available? Dress to Impress was launched on June 14, 2006, during a press conference at the First Parish Church of Taunton, across from Taunton City Hall. Business attire will be collected year-round. The service will be available as much as possible during this time frame. The official “opening” of Dress to Impress will coincide with National Make a Difference Day, October 28, 2006.
How can I help? Dress to Impress needs off-the-rack quality business attire in all sizes for women and men, including accessories such as shoes, ties, briefcases, raincoats, scarves, pocket books, umbrellas, etc. We must stress that only business attire appropriate for interviews can be accepted.
How do I contact Dress to Impress? Call (508) 824-3227 and leave a voice mail to arrange for pick up or drop off, or email Tracey Medeiros at tmedeiros@tmlp.com. Please put “dress to impress” in the subject line. Other options will be available soon.
Do you need volunteers? Yes! We’re seeking individuals to be available to assist those referred to Dress to Impress select interview clothes. Access to Dress to Impress is by appointment only. Tracey Medeiros, our DTI Volunteer Coordinator, will schedule volunteers throughout the month. Individual volunteer rotations will be for only 1-2 hours a month.
The Dress to Impress “Boutique” is located at the First Parish Church of Taunton (downstairs), Church Green, across from Taunton City Hall. Please use the entrance across from the Old Colony Historical Society & Bethany House.
SEMA-VAV received Awards of Appreciation from the National Make a Difference Day Foundation for its efforts in 2003 & 2004. In February 2004, SEMA-VAV was awarded a $3500 reimbursement grant from the Office for Victims of Crime (Department of Justice) to heighten awareness related to National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 18-24, 2004. In 2004 & 2005, SEMA-VAV was awarded Verizon Wireless HopeLine Grants to continue efforts to raise awareness about domestic violence resources.
SEMA-VAV has developed two publications to help raise funds to continue its community outreach. From the Clothesline of Tears to Hope is a celebration of freedom from violence and fear. Through My Eyes: Voices Against Violence, Voices of Hope 2004 Edition is a compilation of essays & poetry in support of crime victims as they move forward and heal. It evolved as a part of NCVRW’s activities.