Highland County Community Action’s OhioMeansJobs, in partnership with various area employers/agencies, successfully hosted its fourth annual Dress for Success Cincinnati Mobile Career Transformation Center event.
This event took place May 8 at the OhioMeansJobs Center. The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools that help women thrive in work and in life. It was a day to focus on the women that are selected for participation to increase knowledge, receive professional attire for job interviews and improve self-esteem and self-confidence.
Dress for Success Cincinnati uses gently used, donated clothing to dress a client from head-to-toe for job interviews. Along with suiting, a client may also receive hosiery, shoes, jewelry, an overcoat, and a purse. By bringing this service to women in Highland County, participants have the professional attire appropriate for a job interview, an increase sense of self-confidence, new or refreshed knowledge of work place skills which helps to improve interview skills, secure employment, and begin building a life of self-sufficiency, not only for herself, but for her family.
Community members and businesses provided hairstyles, make-up, breakfast and lunch, workshops and self-development tools.
Volunteers and participating local businesses included: The Highland County Chamber of Commerce, National Cooperative Bank (NCB), Batter Up Bakery, Aaron’s, Small Town Fitness, Simply Southern Boutique, The Glitz, Waves, Community Markets, Single Office Supply (SOS), Peebles, Wilkin-Wilkin Insurance Agency Inc., Ponderosa, Star Cinemas, S & K Dairy Cup, AutoZone Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Shabby Moose & Co., Bon Appetit Gourmet Shoppe & Gifts, Color Me Crazy, Domino’s Pizza, 24 Deli Pizza & Sweet Shoppe, Advance Auto Parts, Ventura’s Feed & Country Store, HCCAO OMJ Highland County, The Design Chambers, and Mary Kay.
Individuals that provided presentations on various topics included: Angela Beatty-Jones, Changes Counseling Services LLC; Dara Gullette, Alternatives to Violence Center; Elizabeth Taylor, Highland District Hospital; Liticia Walker, Court House Manor; Tracy Evans, Grow! Highland County; Jocelyn Leeth with NCB; Financial Literacy and Karen Preston with Southern State Community College’s Truck Driving Academy.
For more information, contact Rhonda Fannin, HCCAO OhioMeansJobs Highland County, by calling 937-393-1933.
Highland County Community Action is a nonprofit corporation which strives to empower individuals and families through opportunities and support to achieve self-sufficiency. More information can be obtained by accessing the website at https://hccao.org/.
Submitted by Laura Bosier, executive assistant, Highland County Community Action Organization.
