Celebrate and encourage all men this Father's Day

This June, let’s not forget the dads! Every third Sunday in June, Americans set aside the day to honor Fathers. Alliance of Career Development Nonprofit (ACDN) members also honor fathers and all men who are seeking employment. In fact, the ACDN’s original name was “The Women’s Alliance,” but after realizing that many Alliance members serve men as well as women, the Board of Directors changed the name to better reflect the membership.

Nearly half of the clients served at ACDN member Desert Best Friend’s Closet, located in Palm Desert, California, are men. Men under thirty face a unique challenge when donning professional attire for the first time as most of them grew up wearing baggy, low-riding jeans. Professional clothing, however, is worn at a man’s true waist, which is usually measured two fingers below the belly button. For many young men, this is a new experience and initially requires time to become comfortable with the look. They have found that many men love to wear a little “bling,” so the agency is especially grateful when donors donate cufflinks and tie pins.

Another challenge for many men is learning to tie a necktie (and to feel comfortable wearing it, too). The necktie is the focal point of a man’s look and polishes off a man’s outfit, instantly making him look classy and professional. But mistakes with the tie will take the look from sophisticated to sloppy quickly.

Some Necktie Basics:

1.     The tie shouldn’t be too long or too short - it should end near the middle of the belt buckle. Tip: tall men should find an XL tie.

2.     Stained or wrinkled ties are unacceptable. As the focal point of an outfit, this can show that he doesn’t care about his appearance.

3.     Selecting the right colors and patterns can be tricky. Color should draw from the shirt and suit color in a complimentary way. A tie may also reflect a man’s personality—louder more colorful ties for someone with a big personality and more conservative colors and patterns for someone quieter. Cartoon images on a tie are never appropriate for an interview.

For many male clients, coming to Desert Best Friend’s closet is the first time they have ever worn a suit and tie. They are often overwhelmed the first time they see themselves in the mirror, because the suit is a symbol of adulthood and manhood. As one of their clients simply stated upon seeing his reflection, “I have never worn a suit before let alone knew how to tie a tie. Thank you for helping me.  I feel like a man today.”

This month (and every month, really) we celebrate and encourage all men, fathers and those who will be fathers. Enjoy!

Contributed by Connie Golds, Executive Director, Desert Best Friend's Closet (Palm Desert, CA) and ACDN Board Member.  Desert Best Friend’s Closet has outfitted over 2000 clients since 2010.

An Invitation to the 2016 National Conference

Welcome to the Gateway to the West!

Whether you are traveling by plane, train, automobile or… all three; Dreams to Reality is ready to host the 2016 Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN) National Conference and make your conference dreams come true here in Jefferson City, Missouri, the “Show Me” State Capitol and most beautiful small town as designated by Rand McNally.

We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with ACDN and host the 2016 National Conference and showcase our great state, city and Dreams to Reality boutique!  Our city is small but mighty, yet no doubt we’ll have you wishing for a future extended stay in our quaint little city.

The founders realized women interviewing for positions within their offices were often underdressed or even sharing the same suit for the interview process.  

The nonprofit was established and protocols set in place, gifting donated clothing wardrobe pieces to women through a referral process. Initially this was a very limited effort working out of the closet of one of the founders.  In sixteen years Dreams to Reality (DTR) has grown, expanding its location and services from a closet to a building with over 3000 square feet offering its clients not only interview clothing but a week’s worth of clothing suitable for many work environments.  In time, we hope to expand services to include interview and job building skill set classes as well as offering men’s apparel and education services. DTR’s clothes inventory is secured exclusively through private clothing donations. DTR employs one part-time Executive Director and is guided by a board of 16 members.  The agency is open two days a week, with 23 incredibly dedicated volunteers assisting on a rotating basis. Working with over 52 agencies within 9 counties, Dreams’ was able to help 291 clients in 2015. The boutique secures its funding through its retail sales, fundraisers and United Way support with an annual budget of $32,000.  Not unlike many of its sister organizations, DTR clients are incredibly grateful for the services the organization is able to provide.  Working hand in hand with community social services and businesses, DTR has been able to help women in transition in all walks of life by not only providing appropriate interview and work attire, but helping them to be confident and prepared for career and employment. The reward?  A better quality of life for themselves and their families. 

And who has been there along the way to help grow the organization?  None other than the Alliance for Career Development for Nonprofits (ACDN).

Affiliating with ACDN and attending the national conference is an amazing opportunity to network with an incredible group of talented individuals with similar goals and ideas. The conference agenda is on point, addressing a multitude of pertinent issues facing like organizations across the country.  Once you attend, you will never want to miss again! 

And, what a fantastic agenda is set for this year’s ACDN conference!  Amazing local featured speakers, complimented by presentations from our very own talented ACDN member presenters will share their insights and expertise in the field of serving women and men in transition. 

By special privilege, we will dine in the Capitol Rotunda, a location of grandeur and inspiration Friday night with extraordinary shopping at one of the city’s finest boutiques! 

There is so much to see and do in Jefferson City. Stroll through historic downtown shops and eateries, check out Old Munichberg, tour the historic 185 year-old Missouri State federal prison or perhaps ride bikes along the river on the Katy Trail. See what we have to offer!

Sweeping views of the Governor’s mansion, State Capitol and fountain memorial gardens along the bluff of the Missouri river will take your breath away. 

Traveling from the south?  Stop by the ever famous Nashville of Missouri, Branson, MO, to listen to some of the nation’s finest country music stars. Those of you who will be traveling through St. Louis may want to make a stop at the iconic feat of engineering: the St. Louis Arch-Gateway of the West completed in 1965, it is the tallest man-made national monument in the United States. And don’t forget Anheuser Busch brewery in St. Louis as well.  It is the largest beer producing plant in the U.S. and the best selling beer brand in the world.  Passing through the Lake of the Ozarks area?  Stop by and take in a breath-taking view of the 75 year old man-made lake and Bagnell Dam.  The shoreline of 1,150 miles is longer than the coastline of California. If you are coming from Kansas City, don’t forget to check out the 2015 World Series Baseball home of the Champions, Royals Stadium or check out Country Club Plaza, built in the 1920’s. It was America’s first suburban shopping center.  It now boast 250 shops and restaurants.  Kansas City has more fountains than any city the world with the exception of Rome. Stop in Fulton, MO and take in the austere piece of the Iron Curtain Wall from Germany at Westminster College where Winston Churchhill delivered his famous “Iron Curtain” speech in 1946.  The Westminster Abby Church onsite was brought over from England and reconstructed in Churchhill’s honor. 

Come share the best of what ACDN has to offer and take the extra time to learn about the amenities and history of Jefferson City and the state of Missouri.  We can’t wait to welcome you here!!  

We hope that you can join us in Jefferson City, September 15-17th, 2016. Why not guarantee your registration now and receive the early bird discount?

Contributed by Michele Caywood, 2016 ACDN Conference Co-Chair and Dreams to Reality Board Chair

Register for the 2016 conference →

Honoring Those Who Serve

May 21, 2016 is Armed Forces Day.  Instituted on August 31, 1949, it is a day to reflect upon the selfless service provided by over 1.4 million active duty military service members (“Guardians of Freedom”) who serve in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Since 1989, it has been my pleasure to proudly serve military members and their families as an Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN) member organization through Transforming Lives & Restoring Hope, Inc. (TLRH). TLRH is located in the Tidewater region, an area that is home to several armed forces bases. We generally wake up to the sound of supersonic jet engines.

The one word that can be used to describe military service members is “sacrifice." They sacrifice time with families. They sacrifice the comforts that so many of us enjoy. And sometimes…they make the ultimate sacrifice. This coming Memorial Day weekend, Transforming Lives & Restoring Hope volunteers will help lay wreaths on gravesites at our local Veteran’s Cemetery. 

Like TLRH, Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN) organizations are determined to support military communities by providing the education and resources they need to transition from military service to civilian life. Sometimes that transition can be stressful. It certainly was for Saundra, who retired after serving in the Navy for over 20 years.  She was really concerned about leaving the military.  She had sacrificed finishing college due to “numerous military deployments”.  When it was time for her to trade in her Navy dress uniform, she hoped “resources would be available to help her find meaningful employment". Her primary military training was in the information technology (IT) field; however, Saundra was looking for a different civilian career in human resources. Her dream became a reality due to the support she received from ACDN via TLRH.

First Lady Michelle Obama encourages “all Americans to take action” and join forces to give “military families…the support they have earned.”  The Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits and all of its member organizations are uniquely positioned to help in this effort.  We can provide the wardrobe that supports the transformation from camouflage to professional clothing and the educational and career development opportunities that open the doors to employment for veterans and military spouses.  This month and throughout the year, we lend our support to “Guardians of Freedom,” who on a daily basis, make the sacrifices for our liberty.   

Contributed by Stephanie Credle, President of ACDN Member Transforming Lives & Restoring Hope (Newport News, VA & Roanoke Rapids, NC) and ACDN Board Member.  

4 Tips to Develop Your Volunteer Recognition Strategy

Recognition, in the context of volunteer management, is any deliberate action taken by your organization to acknowledge the contributions of your volunteers. A strong recognition strategy bolsters overall volunteer satisfaction, leading to higher volunteer retention rates that save your organization time and money. 

Recognition strategies vary from organization to organization, leaving plenty of room to develop one that works within the framework of your available time and resources. Here are some points to consider:

1.   It’s the Little Things

Implement recognition daily, through a warm smile upon the volunteer’s arrival and a big thank you at the end of a productive day – such practices cost nothing but the payoff is huge! 

2.   Time Specific Events

Annual volunteer appreciation parties, quarterly breakfasts, and monthly lunches where speakers present on topics of interest to volunteers, are special ways to say thank you to dedicated volunteers. Such events take time and money to execute well (look for donors who could sponsor these events), but they provide excellent opportunities for formalized appreciation, ongoing professional development and training, and for volunteers to cultivate connections among one another that will strengthen their overall bond with your organization.

3.    Share Impact

Impact is also a form of recognition. Impact can be conveyed broadly (e.g. in a given year, the number of clients served by your volunteers or the amount of money saved by your organization through donated time) or on a more personal level (e.g. individual client feedback or a client’s success story).

At Bottomless Closet, we run a Volunteer Impact Report each month that ties a client who has come back for her post-hire appointment with the volunteer with whom she worked for her pre-interview appointment. Conjuring up memories of the casting list for the high school play, each month volunteers crowd around our list when it is posted. When a volunteer sees her name on the list, she knows that she contributed directly to a positive change in a client’s life – employment!

4.    Build on Momentum

As April draws to a close, now is a great time to evaluate your volunteer recognition strategy and build off of the momentum of National Volunteer Month. A strong recognition strategy will be thoughtful, consistent, and employ various recognition tools throughout the year. Because recognition influences retention, and the cost of retaining a volunteer is usually far less than the cost of recruiting and training a new volunteer, developing a comprehensive recognition strategy is time and energy well spent by your organization. 

Happy Recognizing!

By Stacey McFadin, Director of Volunteerism and Partnerships at Bottomless Closet

2016 ACDN National Smart & Sexy Day Highlights

In honor of Women’s History Month, members of the Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN) held events in March in select cities in the U.S. aimed at helping women prepare for employment. Smart & Sexy Day events inspire women – boosting their self-confidence so that they feel assured, confident and, most of all, employable. The holiday was launched in 2012 by the Alliance and sponsored by Ariela & Associates International, one of the largest privately held lingerie companies in the country.  The official holiday designation is on March 13th. 

We asked our ACDN Member Smart & Sexy Day hosts to offer a snapshot of their event in their own words and its impact on their clients:

IMAGE FOR SUCCESS (SAN RAFAEL, CA) – March 9th

Twenty low-income women gathered at Image for Success (IFS) in San Rafael to celebrate “Smart and Sexy Day” in connection with Women’s History month. The women learned about local job search resources and strategies from Caren Cuneo of the Marin Employment Connection.

They discovered the wardrobe colors and styles that not only flatter your figure but dress you for success from Jenny Bailey, a style consultant.  Plus, the women were shown practical and fast make-up application techniques from Grace Pescador, Mary Kay beauty consultant.   “It was a fun, uplifting day full of information and tips I’ll use in my professional life,” said one attendee.  Another added, “It was a beautiful day! I was made to feel special.”

Each participant received a bra fitting and complimentary Smart & Sexy bra from Ariela & Associates. As one attendee said, “ You have to have the right undergarment so your whole package shines.”

This is the fourth year Image for Success has held the event. – Diane Ettelson, Executive Director, Image for Success, San Rafael, CA

LADIES OF VALOR EMPOWERMENT (NORTH MIAMI, FL) – March 12th

This year, the 2016 L.O.V.E. Empowerment / Smart & Sexy Day was a huge success with over 60 attendees to include many elected officials and member from the media.  The event Mistress of Ceremony was Ms. Janey Tate, Reporter, Miami Times.  The Mayor from the City of North Miami, Dr. Smith Joseph presented a certificate of appreciation to founder Lady Alourdes Pierre for making a difference in the community.  The event was also visited by three members from the City Councils who brought greetings to the audience and shared their contentment for the work the Ladies of Valor Empowerment (L.O.V.E.) is doing in the community.  The (L.O.V.E.) organization is now working with high school middle and senior high schools called the Youth of Valor Empowerment (YOVE), they are dressed in pink and black, they will be joining with me as we continue to promote Smart & Sexy in the North Miami community.

During the event, the organization was presented with a $1,500.00 from State Farm to assist with Financial Literacy Training. In addition, the group dressed in black and pink suits is the LOVE team.

The Ladies of Valor Empowerment (L.O.V.E.) has been hosting the National Smart & Sexy Day holiday event in Celebration of Women’s History Month in partnership with ACDN for the past three years in the City North Miami, a city with the largest Haitian immigrants in the State of Florida.  This annual event has really impacted the L.O.V.E. program being the only one hosting this type of event in the community where each L.O.V.E. ladies receiving bring new undergarments upon their participation at the event.  Each year the event is getting bigger and better, Smart & Sexy is the name of the brand in the community.  In addition to the ladies, now the youth it was an “aha moment” and it is a new experience for them, arriving early to assist with setting up and to have their measurement taken, it was the first for them.  Everyone who came to the event, left excited including the elected officials, and filled with hope that tomorrow will be a better day in the community with the L.O.V.E. organization, and with supporter like ACDN and Smart & Sexy, we can not go wrong. – Alourdes Pierre, Founder/CEO, Ladies of Valor Empowerment (L.O.V.E.), North Miami, FL

BOTTOMLESS CLOSET (NEW YORK CITY, NY) – March 15th

To celebrate the 5th annual Smart & Sexy Day in New York, Bottomless Closet expanded the reach of the day by including a broader group of stakeholders.  We partnered with our supporters at Wells Fargo to host the event in their beautiful Executive Events Center located in Wells Fargo’s Midtown corporate offices.  By bringing the event to a corporate partner, we were able to involve Wells Fargo’s key staff in the planning of Smart & Sexy Day and the day’s activities.  After the event, Bottomless Closet Volunteer Roberta Dougherty, who had led a presentation at the Smart & Sexy Day on understanding workplace culture and clothing style, shared her experience of that day with almost 40 Bottomless Closet volunteers at Bottomless Closet’s Volunteer Lunch and Learn.  Volunteers who were not previously familiar with the Smart & Sexy brand or the Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits are joining Twitter so they can tweet what #SupportMeans to them!

29 women attended Smart & Sexy Day to hear from speakers on topics including business etiquette and cubicle culture as well as dressing for a job interview on a budget.  The bra fittings and bra giveaways were a great hit, with clients gushing that they “loved this workshop” and were “inspired to look [their] best and be confident in the workplace”. – Patrycja Warda, Program Director, Bottomless Closet, New York City, NY

CAREER WARDROBE (PHILADELPHIA, PA) – March 14th

This year, Career Wardrobe’s Smart & Sexy Day fell on a cold and rainy Monday morning. But the dark and stormy weather didn’t stop twelve passionate and driven Philadelphia women from partaking in 2016’s Smart & Sexy Day at Career Wardrobe! These women brought not only themselves but their rich, inspirational life stories. Kimberly Saunders, CEO and “Energy Innovator” at the National Charity of Education and Humanity, gave a talk entitled “Ways to Remind Yourself How Powerful & Beautiful You Are!” Kimberly helped attendees focus on leveraging their inner beauty and strength to bridge the gap between their present state and their future goals.

By the afternoon, the rain had stopped and the clouds began to give way to some sunshine. It was the perfect opportunity for our guests to get fitting for their brand new Smart & Sexy bras! Soon it was time for the upbeat entrepreneur, Sammy Davis, to take the stage. Sammy D spoke from the heart as she described the pitfalls of trying to reach perfection. Sammy led the group in a wonderful activity aimed at loosening the emotional bonds we place on ourselves when we struggle with never achieving perfection. Sammy D taught us to let go of perfection and embrace ourselves for who we are! Attendees were delighted when Sammy stayed afterwards and signed complimentary copies of her book “Love Your Life!” Everyone left the event with a wonderful sense of personal empowerment and a real appreciation for the outpouring of support from Smart & Sexy and ACDN. – Ken Fenimore, Education Program Associate, Career Wardrobe, Philadelphia, PA

SUITED FOR SUCCESS (OKLAHOMA CITY, OK) – March 17th

Smart & Sexy Day was celebrated in Oklahoma City on March 17, at OSU-OKC.  We had 30 students from four of our Referring Partners, 3 guest speakers, and 5 board members attend.  The day started with How To Show Off Your Professional Self Image presented by Donna Rynda, Make It Matter. Then Building Your Professional Wardrobe, with a few tips from Susan Walton, Suited For Success Executive Director and lots of group participation putting outfits together and changing them up using 12 key pieces of clothing. There was a break for lunch and a few motivational thoughts from Elizabeth Larios with the YWCA Economic Empowerment Program.   One of our favorite Smart & Sexy Day speakers Sharon Barrows Cooper, BarrowsCooperCoaching, stressed the importance of Work Life Balance.

The highlight of the day is the bra fitting; the participants learn how to properly measure for their exact size and receive a beautiful Smart & Sexy bra.  Each participant received a measuring tape to take home so they can continue to wear the correct size bra and help family and friends do the same. #SupportMeans wearing the correct size bra for comfort and support.   – Susan Walton, Executive Director, Suited for Success, Oklahoma City, OK

Smart & Sexy Day at Image for Success, San Rafael, CA

Attendees of the Smart & Sexy Day in San Rafael, CA. 

Smart & Sexy Day at Ladies of Valor Empowerment (LOVE)

Pictured:  Alourdes Pierre, Executive Director, LOVE, North Miami, FL); Sevi Sari, President of Turkish Business Women of Florida; Janey Tate, Report, Miami Times

Smart & Sexy Day at Ladies of Valor Empowerment, North Miami, FL

Smart & Sexy Day at Career Wardrobe, Philadelphia, PA

Smart & Sexy Day at Bottomless Closet, NYC

Pictured: Gineyda Diaz, Operations Director, Bottomless Closet and Kia-Lee Manlove, Wells Fargo

Smart & Sexy Day at Bottomless Closet, New York, NY

Pictured: Roberta Dougherty, Bottomless Closet Volunteer

Smart & Sexy Day at Suited for Success, Oklahoma City, OK

Pictured: Smart & Sexy Day participants

Smart & Sexy Day at Suited for Success, Oklahoma City, OK

Smart & Sexy Day at Suited for Success, Oklahoma City, OK

Pictured: Smart & Sexy day participants

#SmartandSexyDay, #SupportMeans