YWCA, Orange County Chamber hosting Career Clothing Drive

NEWBURGH — The YWCA Orange County is joining with Orange County Chamber of Commerce's Minority and Women in Business Committee to host a women's career clothing drive throughout the summer. The pair are collaborating with Bloomingdeals! Resale, a consignment and thrift store in New Windsor, to organize the collection and distribution of the donated clothing.

Clothing will be collected for women in need who are looking to get a start or advance in their career field. All types of clothing are being sought, including office professional (suits, slacks, dresses), health care (scrubs, lab coats), and non-traditional women's work such as construction, auto repair, and landscaping (work boots, gloves, tool belts, coveralls).

"We are grateful to be partnering with the Chamber of Commerce, Bloomingdeals! Resale, and other local businesses to make the career clothing drive a success," said Christine Sadowski, YWCA Orange County executive director. "At YWCA, we frequently work with women who are looking to enter the workplace, return to work after raising children, or seeking to advance in their career. Time and again, we find that one of the challenges women face in the workplace is the lack of funds necessary to purchase the appropriate clothing for their career - in both traditional and non-traditional jobs. By partnering with area businesses on this clothing drive, we hope to help women access the clothes they need for their chosen career path," added Sadowski.

The donated clothing will be available in a special "Women's Work" section at the Bloomingdeals! Resale store location at 436 Blooming Grove Turnpike (Route 94) in New Windsor. Money raised at Bloomingdeals! Resale goes to support Hudson Valley SPCA, YWCA Orange County, Kids4Causes, and Independent Living.

Any business interested in having a collection box set up at their location, should contact Laura Garcia at 845-561-8050, ext. 17 or laura@ywca-orangecty.org. Collection boxes will be provided and managed by Bloomingdeals! Resale. Donations may also be dropped off directly at Bloomingdeals! Resale's New Windsor location or at YWCA Orange County's offices at 21 West Street in Newburgh.

"Being able to dress appropriately for the job at hand is an essential part of a worker's toolbox and can boost one's confidence and self-esteem," said Sadowski. "We want to make sure that the women in need in our community have the tools - the clothes - they need to succeed."

For more information about YWCA Orange County, visit the website at www.ywca-orangecty.org or call 845-561-8050.

YWCA Orange County is a feminist, anti-racist, social justice organization dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women. YWCA offers programs addressing economic empowerment, racial justice, women’s health, violence against women, and community collaboration. They have been serving the people of Orange County since 1888.