Leadership Marshfield Group Project Makes Difference in Community
Born from a willingness to help their community and the dedication to carry through, Marshfield’s Career Closet has launched to help citizens dress the part that their job requires. Created through the Leadership Marshfield program, the Career Closet accepts donations of new or gently worn business professional and business casual attire.
Gina Londre of Prevention Genetics is a founding member and also serves as an active committee member. Joining her are Jennifer Rachu (City of Marshfield), Jesse Rabehl (Felker Brothers), Andrea Jackan (Rembs Funeral Home), and Rick Gramza (Marshfield Police Department).
The idea for a Career Closet came about through a report created by the United Way that highlighted the financial constraints that exist in the community. The ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed) report showed that poverty levels in the area exceed the national level.
Said Londre, “While there are several wonderful organizations in the Marshfield Community that are doing great things for individuals like those identified in the ALICE report, whether it be providing access to services, greatly discounted clothing, or completely free clothing, there is no one organization that is solely focused on providing free work attire.”
“We want to fill this void,” she added. “Our program will directly aid the citizens of Marshfield by providing them with free clothing for job interviews and job retention along with advice on how to dress for an interview or for day-to-day work environments.”
To get the collection started, the Career Closet is hosting a Spring Cleaning Event for the month of May. Included on the clothing wish list are polo and dress shirts, dresses, pants, business suits, dress shoes, ties, watches, sweaters and jackets.
Items can be dropped off at the Marshfield Area United Way and Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Donors will continue to be sought in order to keep the program going.
“Our goals are related to raising awareness of the closet and obtaining adequate clothing stock. While we know it won’t be possible to obtain every possible size and style for every possible item desired from our first donation event, we want to get enough where we feel comfortable to open our doors to individuals in-need, which is planned for this summer,” said Londre.
Clothing is currently being kept on the third floor of City Hall Plaza and at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. In the weeks to come, more information will be available for those that are able to prove need for the attire at www.facebook.com/marshfieldcareercloset.com
