Clothing drive helps empower women looking to get back into the working environment

The United Way’s women’s fall suit drive is not just about donating gently used wardrobe items; it is also about extending a helping hand to women who are forging a new path for themselves.

The event, hosted by the United Way of Southern Nevada’s Women’s Leadership Council, was held Nov. 7 in the parking lot of NV Energy. The donated suits were for women ready to graduate from back-to-work programs offered through various agencies and charities. Those programs helped women with not just job skills training but also resume writing and mock job interviews. Ready to re-enter the workforce, they’re at the point where they need appropriate clothes. The suit drive provided that attire.

“What we hear over and over is that when they put that suit on, it all seems possible,” said Rhonda Clausen, co-chairwoman of the Women’s Leadership Council. “They see themselves in a whole new light. They look in the mirror and see the person that they can be. It may sound corny, but it really is that empowering for these people. We had one young woman put on the suit, and her eyes teared up. She said, ‘My mom always told me I’d amount to something.’ ”

The organizations receiving the clothes included Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, Goodwill Career Connections, S.A.F.E. House, Safe Nest, the Shade Tree shelter, and the Women’s Development and Work Opportunities Readiness centers of HELP of Southern Nevada.

The effort took up a corner of the parking lot on Sahara Avenue. A volunteer greeted donors and helped unload their vehicles. Some donors brought a couple of items; some had a trunkload. Everyone got a tax receipt.

“I took two hours this morning to go through some trunks and I have mine and some of these are my daughter’s … they’re still wearable,” said Bonnie, a donor who asked that her last name not be used.

The drive saw about 80 volunteers. Perhaps the most fun volunteer position was suit wrangler. Wranglers chose outfits, matching a blouse to a suit, and then accessorizing — adding a scarf, a belt, a purse, shoes and jewelry.

“I’m able to exercise my fashion experience; always a good thing,” said Debra Major, who was busy matching a suit with accessories. “It feels good to help another woman.”

Last year, the drive garnered 7,084 items, including suits, dresses, shoes, handbags and jewelry, all suitable for a professional. This year’s effort saw 11,941 items come in, Clausen said. She said the drive required numerous elements to come together, but it did so without any hiccups.

“It’s really a piece of cake (to organize) because everybody wants to be a part of it,” Clausen said. “This is our seventh year doing it, and everybody has their little (area of expertise) that they like, so they volunteer for it … they just step up. Now, that doesn’t mean you don’t lay awake at night.”

This was one of many efforts by the Women’s Leadership Council. In Southern Nevada, the group has raised more than $1.6 million in seven years, used for empowering at-risk teens to graduate, helping children learn to read, providing underserved students a medical home and preventative health care and supporting on-the-edge women in their quest for a new life.

For more information, visit uwsn.org/wlc.

Contact Summerlin Area View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 702-387-2949.