Dress to Succeed Ministry plans new expansion
By Bruce Walton
YOUNGSTOWN
As Elder Rose Carter looks around the empty room in the lower level of St. John Episcopal Church, she wells up with emotions about her future plans to transform it into the new headquarters for her ever-expanding Dress to Succeed ministry.
Carter, president of the ministry, decided that her expanding nonprofit organization needed a larger location, but she wanted to make sure that the location was in a centrally located church with ample parking.
She found St. John at 323 Wick Ave. to be the best candidate.
“What a great place to have a community to come to be able to get clothing,” she said.
The ministry provides clothes from professional to casual to men and women who are entering the job market, college, vocational or training schools, or simply in need – all free of charge.
Dress to Succeed will provide two outfits when beginning a job or job training, two outfits when a job interview is scheduled and one additional outfit for customers after their employment is secured.
Carter started Dress to Succeed ministry in 2002, because she felt a need for such a service. In her eyes and the eyes of her fellow members, providing these clothes give dignity and self-esteem to those in the community.
“Your appearance is important in order for you to be successful,” Carter said.
Carter came to the Greater Friendship Church in September 2010 and founded the Dress to Succeed ministry in May 2011. The ministry will continue at the Greater Friendship Church until July 30, when the ministry will move to its new home at St. John in August. In addition to the new location, Carter said they plan to provide clothes to the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown and the Trumbull Correctional Institute in Leavittsburg in the next month or so.
Bryant Palmer, Ohio State Penitentiary deputy warden of special services, approached Carter in March with the idea to provide clothes for returning citizens before they are released. Palmer said former inmates should have dignity leaving the prison.
“We always tell people to go out and get a job, but if you don’t have clothing to go on your first interview, it’s not easy to have somebody hire you,” Palmer said.
Palmer plans to have every released inmate to have at least one casual outfit and one professional outfit within the 30-60 days of their release day. He hopes that once they are released, they don’t stand out in a crowd or feel different from other citizens.
The ministry has approximately 300 pieces of clothing stored for clients as well as an additional 400 pieces of clothing for the penitentiaries. It receives most of its clothes from local organizations and stores, as well as individuals.
Dress to Succeed ministry will celebrate with a grand opening Aug. 18 for the community, additionally with free haircuts and resume building.
Carter said she also feels very appreciative that the Rev. Gayle Catinella of St. John, who accepted the ministry to have its new home in the church.