A WARDROBE FOR OPPORTUNITYby Teresa Miller |
Maria-Rashna Bohm had a challenged start. Born in Germany as the child of an African American father and a German mother, she lived in a German orphanage until she was a teen. Once in America, Maria-Rashna fell victim to drugs. Now clean and sober and thanks to the career and professional development services she received through Wardrobe for Opportunity’s Success Programs, Maria-Rashna is incorporating her skills into her goals. “I feel the program has given me the skills and support to peel away the onions of life,” Maria-Rashna explains. She is in the process of completing her master’s in Christian theology and working with incarcerated individuals. |
“WFO’s mission is to work in partnership with community organizations to assist low-income individuals find a job, keep a job, and build a career through trainings and workshops,” states Program Manager Mahogany Charlton. “Since its inception, WFO has partnered with 150 organizations and served 17,500 people in that mission.” The organization, founded in 1995, was the brainchild of Jeri Foster, who at the time was a career counselor. Foster recognized that her client population needed support in not only interviewing and job-search skills but also in making a “professional first impression” to potential employers. “Our programs have proven to be a key factor in helping people break the cycle of poverty,” Charlton says. “We offer a fresh perspective on career possibilities, and a place where clients can get peer support and encouragement.” To ensure the success of the participants at the end of their training, they are partnered with a professional coach and a mentor to support them in reaching their goals. Once they finish the year of training and coaching, clients work with a stylist and receive a business wardrobe to complete their professional makeover. With its unique combination of professional development services, WFO offers the only program of its kind in Northern California. As a nonprofit organization, WFO seeks the support of the community to help them continue providing services to their target population. Individuals interested in supporting the organization can participate by either donating gently used professional clothing or offering a monetary contribution. With California’s 11.8 percent unemployment rate, WFO expects to continue helping underserved populations remain competitive as they build their careers. Find out more about Wardrobe for Opportunity by visiting their website at: www.wardrobe foropportunity.org. ——————————————Teresa Miller is a Certified Professional Empowerment Coach who works with clients and organizations to “inspire women for life.” Visit her at www.t-empowerment-coaching.com. |
