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'CareerDress' Clothing Drive For Professional Women

OAKLAND COUNTY (WWJ) - Everyone knows looking your best in the workplace is vital to getting and keeping a job. But for many, a career wardrobe is out of the question.

To assist those in need, the Lighthouse of Oakland County created CareerDress in 2002.

Women who are actively pursuing employment can make an appointment with CareerDress to be fitted for undergarments, interview clothing, shoes, a hand bag and outerwear. After securing employment, a client may return to CareerDress to receive two more complete work outfits.

Speaking live on WWJ Newsradio 950, CEO and President of Lighthouse of Oakland County John Ziraldo said CareerDress

"We provide an outfit from the skin out for women who have an interview. And if they're fortunate enough to get hired they can come back and get a few more outfits to get them started in the workplace," Ziraldo said.

In the last nine years, the organization has assisted more than 1,600 women in need of professional clothing needs for interviews and jobs. On average CareerDress is helping 40 to 50 women a month feel confident during their interview.

"Women who get hired, they just talk a lot about the confidence boost they get from the program," Ziraldo said. "It's a great opportunity for women who are working to reach out and help other women who are trying to get into the workplace."

For the next week, several local businesses are hosting a clothing drive to support the work of CareerDress. Individuals are being asked to drop off gently used women's professional clothing as part of the drive.

Donated clothing should be clean and on hangers. Clothing should be no older than five years and suitable for women ages 18 to 25. 

Clothing and accessory needs include: matching pant suits, blouses, jackets, slacks, skirts, nylons, purses, jewelry, closed-toe shoes, coats, hats, gloves, lotions and perfumes.

The clothing drive takes place from Saturday, April 9 through Sunday, April 17. Donations can be dropped off at any of the following locations:

-Destination Style Boutique; 29107 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield
-EmbroidMe; 27857 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills
-Esprit Women's Health; 1103 N. Main St. Suite E, Royal Oak
-Lighthouse of Oakland County; 46156 Woodward Ave., Pontiac
-Lolly Ella Jewelry; 6706 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield
-PURE Salon & Spa; 39800 W. 14 Mile Rd., Commerce Twp.
-Salon 59; 4823 Highland Rd., Waterford
-Seung-ni Fit Club; 41430 Grand River Ave. Suite A, Novi
-Time for Blinds; 9633 Highland Rd., White Lake
-Wachler Jewelers; 100 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham

Volunteers are also needed to sort the clothes collected from the drive on Tuesday, April 19 from 1:00 until 5:00 pm. Get more details here.

For more information on CareerDress, visit the Lighthouse website or call (248) 920-6100, ext. 2237.

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