Local organization provides support, clothes for interviews

When it comes to interviewing for a job, first impressions can make or break an interview. But for people who don't have the resources to make the best impression, getting a job can be especially hard.\nThat's where the volunteers at My Sister's Closet come in.\nMy Sister's Closet of Monroe County is a nonprofit organization that provides free clothing to low-income women who are looking for employment in the Bloomington area. The store is open to the public, which is one of the main ways it is able to stay open for business. The idea for this project is quite common and something most people think about every day.\n"About six years ago, I saw a news special on "60 Minutes" about a My Sister's Closet that was very successful in New York City," founder Sandy Vincent said. "I, along with many other people in the community, decided to gather several nonprofit organizations together to see if something like this could be started in Bloomington."\nThe organization sees women who are in need by referral basis only. After organizations such as the American Red Cross, Middle Way House and Stone Belt Center determine if the candidate qualifies, she is sent with a voucher to My Sister's Closet.\n"We will provide them with five free outfits, which is everything from a blouse and skirt to hosiery, shoes and accessories," volunteer Wendy Stewart said. "The women initially get two outfits for the interview process, and once their job is established, then they will receive the three additional outfits."\nStewart said when women receive donated clothing, it enhances their self-esteem and gives them the confidence to know they are going to fit in when they go into an interview.\nThe official store was located at Seventh and Morton streets but was forced to close in February 2003 because of construction downtown. The bus routes were changed and parking was eliminated, so no one was able to gain access to the store. \nSince then, tremendous efforts from Vincent and volunteers like Stewart have helped to secure a new location on South Walnut St.\n"We are still looking for volunteers to help with organizing additional fund-raisers and capital, as well as volunteers to staff the store that will continue to facilitate why it is a good cause," Stewart said. \nAs the search for more volunteers and board members from the community to help with this process continues, Stewart hopes the store will open in the next 60 to 90 days. But the only way the store can continue serving the community once it is back up and running is through help from students. \n"Students can help in so many ways," Stewart said. "Donating clothes is the main way to get involved. All that we ask is that the clothes are professional and are new or gently worn."\nThe store has helped 300 women in two years, but the goal of My Sister's Closet is to help at least two women a day -- regardless of whether they are new cases or returning visitors. \nJunior Yasemin Gencer knows firsthand how an organization like this helps people who are in need at a difficult time in their lives.\n"I wanted to get involved in volunteering with My Sister's Closet because I watched my mom as she had to start all over," Gencer said. "The hardest thing to do is to try and start a job when you don't have the money to buy clothes."\nVincent believes volunteering at My Sister's Closet will not only enable the store to help many women who are in need, but also help to create awareness in the public eye of what this organization is about. \n"My Sister's Closet is a great cause because it is not a hand out," Vincent said. "It is a way of support to get them to their goal so they can be in the driver's seat and ultimately get out there and have the confidence to support themselves, as well as their families."\n-- Contact staff writer \nLindsey Fox at lbfox@indiana.edu .