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Outfitting Women with self-confidence and hope
Wings serves courageous women – women with the courage to change their lives, the courage to reach high, the courage to dream. These women are often motivated by circumstances. They are survivors of domestic violence, crime victims, homeless women, women recovering from addiction, and women transitioning back to the workforce.
Moving each woman’s life forward requires some combination of job skills, transportation, childcare and housing. Meanwhile, 63% of the women who come to Wings are single mothers with less than $10,000 in annual income. Wings' services relieve some of the financial pressure by providing free clothing for her job training, her interview, and two weeks worth of mix-and-match separates, saving a client approximately $500 to $1000 that can be reallocated for food, utilities and childcare.
Wings’ clients are referred by more than 50 social service agencies throughout Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties. Wings partners with these agencies by providing the final step, or finishing touch, in the employment process.
During a personalized appointment at Wings
(in Frazer, PA), a trained volunteer outfits
a client based on her unique size, age and
clothing needs. Wings provides a complete
selection of clothing for all sizes (from 0 to
5X), shoes and accessories. Each client learns
how to dress for her interview/job training
and intermix 8-12 pieces of clothing to build
1-2 weeks worth of outfits. And unlike some
clothing closet organizations, at Wings, each
client is guided by a Personal Clothing Stylist
and tries everything on to ensure a good fit.
The experience at Wings, however, comes with much more than clothing. A recent study by Yahoo/Hot Jobs Research indicated that, nationally, 75% of recruiters believe that how a person dresses for work affects one's job, salary, and possible promotions. By creating a professional outward image, clients grow their inner self-image to feel confident seeking employment, succeeding in the workplace, and becoming financially self-sufficient. Wings’ workshops carry this emotional springboard one step further. These workshops help women with employment and career-building strategies, life skills, and positive body image. Professional Image Makeover days are among the most popular and include professional hair styling and make-up lessons to complement the client’s interview outfit. Other workshops cover topics such as Positive Body Image, Maximize Your Wardrobe on a Minimum Budget, and Interview & Workplace Dressing: Do’s and Don’ts.
Through these services, Wings serves a critical unmet need in the community. And the demand for these services is growing. Wings experienced an almost 50% increase in clients served in 2009 and expects this growth to continue. Find out how you can help Wings help these brave women.
Wings For Success is a registered charitable organization. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free within PA at 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Wings is also registered with the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania under Code #14167.
