Working On A New Look
Denise Bea glances at the comfortable overalls jumper and sandals I’m wearing and relaxes.
She’s a bit high-strung but friendly in a hearty, troop-leader way. The muscles in her lean arm tense as she pumps my hand in greeting.
I’m Denise’s personal shopper today at the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in Coeur d’Alene. It’s a new service at the store, reserved for people heading to job interviews.
Director Lynn Peterson pushed for the service after seeing a segment on “60 Minutes” about a program called “Dress for Success.”
In that program, a woman back East spent her inheritance helping women living in poverty or coming out of prison dress professionally for job interviews.
The St. Vincent de Paul version is called “Fashions for Your Future,” and it’s for men and women. It matches volunteers’ savvy about job interviews with the uninformed and underdressed.
The store supplies Fashions’ clients with free clothes and accessories. Headmasters School of Hair Design donates cuts, perms and styling. Mary Kay Cosmetics offers makeup lessons.
Denise, 30, lives in a women’s shelter and works as a housekeeper. She’s a single mother trying to raise enough money to bring her 2-year-old daughter to Coeur d’Alene. She’s trained as a dental assistant and wants to find a job in her field.
She needs to look professional. I lead her to the rack with women’s suits. Obviously, some women discard their clothes after little wear. We’re lucky enough to find a nearly new navy blue and mauve plaid suit in her size.
Denise doesn’t need my guidance choosing an outfit. Another woman in the program confesses to her volunteer, Sandy Rawls, that she hasn’t worn a dress in years and has no idea what looks good on her.
Sandy is an educational consultant and a former school superintendent. She smiles reassuringly, sizes up her client quickly and gathers several dresses and suits for her to try.
Denise heads to the dressing room with her suit, a matching blouse, navy blue pumps and a blue handbag. I’m supposed to advise her on interview behavior, but she’s naturally confident and straightforward, and eye contact is no problem.
Still, there’s that smell. An acrid cigarette odor springs from her like an overdose of perfume. I take a deep breath and mention that the odor could be a liability at a job interview. She’s not surprised or offended.
The clothes fit perfectly.
“It makes you feel different,” Denise says, as volunteers and program organizers ooh and ah at her professional look. “I like it.”
Kathy Reed, St. Vincent’s social services director, hopes to snag a grant to buy clients new shoes. The program also could use more volunteers and a hand-held steamer to smooth wrinkled clothing.
To book an appointment or volunteer, call Kathy at 664-3095.
Wonderful women
Women are great people. They’re helpful, nurturing, inventive and eager to share their gifts, particularly with other women. That’s why the annual Women’s Forum is so well attended year after year.
This year’s forum includes a banquet Sept. 21 honoring 12 outstanding women, and a full day of workshops Sept. 22 at Cavanaughs Templin’s Resort.
Garwood’s Ione Jenson, an author, counselor and dream therapist, will discuss women’s influence on human affairs. Red Hot Mamas founder Mikki Stevens is worth an ear. She knows all about imagination and playfulness.
Other speakers will cover networking, holistic health, sexual harassment and preparing for the new millennium. For details and registration information, call 665-9864.