Dress For Success Brookhaven, the 25- season- old nonprofit organization, is very actually taking the show on the road.
Ladies in need have referred to by nonprofit organizations like domestic violence companies, homeless shelters, and veterans organizations for decades to visit the facility’s place in Farmingville for career counseling and completely skilled clothing. They browse a free choice of donated carefully worn goods, including firm suits, dresses, shoes, necklaces, handbags and more, to help them transition toward self- sufficiency.
This summer, a big, gray 25- foot motor home ( a Thor Axis ), boldly emblazoned with the words “Empower Her Back To Work” is ready to roll. The Dress For Success Mobile Career Center and Boutique will make stops at Long Island’s career fairs and universities in addition to the 200 referral companies.
Being able to get or afford a parent is something that will change your life forever.
— Star Arbouin, past Dress for Success consumer
While the masonry- and- cement shop has serviced more than 6, 000 clients since its founding, “We realized that it’s difficult for some women to get to the store according to finances, travel or lack of child care”, says Sharon Boyd, executive director for the organization, noting that 50% of their clients are single mothers. She adds that the wireless unit, which she claims was developed in 10 years, “will provide instant resources and further increase our reach.”
The fully restored inside of the car has well-stocked closets, drawers, and shelves full of clothing and accessories, as well as a small area for begin assistance and job readiness resources for job placement. A client could leave with both a new outfit and a revised resume because there are computers and printers on site.
According to a former client, her experience with Dress For Success Brookhaven was “life- changing”. So says Star Arbouin, 49, of Bellport, who following Hurricane Sandy lost her business and her home, “all in one shot”, she says.
The mother of three, who is a single mother of three, ended up in a homeless shelter after a flash flood destroyed the amount of clothing she had. I felt like a failure and was very discouraged. Although there is a stigma associated with being homeless, Dress For Success didn’t treat me in that way when I entered. “By the time I was done and looking in the mirror”, she explains, “there’s something to be said about when you look good, you feel your sense of confidence”.
When she recalls her journey, Arbouin becomes emotional. “They made me look at myself once more when they looked into someone’s eyes as if they were discouraged. I was met with an embrace.”
Today, she works as a Civil Service employee and is also the global ambassador for Dress For Success worldwide. As for the new traveling unit, she says, “This is going to be very impactful for women who are going through hard times and need to get back on their feet. I didn’t always have a vehicle and it’s very difficult as a single mom. Being able to get or afford a parent is something that will change your life forever.”
Boyd credits local companies, including Capital One, Northwell Health, National Grid, The Tantillo Group, Pure Mammography and Schweiger Dermatology, that have helped to fund the mobile offshoot. Additionally, Brookhaven has been a significant supporter of the organization.