About Wardrobe for Opportunity

Our Mission

Wardrobe for Opportunity (WFO) works in partnership with the community to assist low-income individuals in their efforts to “Find a Job, Keep a Job, and Build a Career.”
 

Our History

Wardrobe for Opportunity (WFO) is a successful and growing nonprofit organization that empowers low-income individuals from across the Bay Area with acquiring interview skills, professional clothing and the career support they need to become economically self-sufficient.

Founded in 1995 to address often overlooked, yet critical barriers to finding and retaining employment, WFO has served nearly 20,000 low-income individuals referred from over 150 partner social service and job-training agencies across the Bay Area. Our clients face significant barriers including poverty, drug abuse, disabilities, racism, recent incarceration, and homelessness; 80% are single parents, 73% receive government assistance, and 85% of our clients are minorities. WFO's programs consistently help our clients overcome challenges to accomplish their goals and achieve success.
 

Vision Statement

Wardrobe for Opportunity will be the recognized leader in empowering low-income women and men to achieve economic viability.

WFO is committed four strategies:

1. Expand client reach throughout the Greater Bay Area
2. Continually engage constituents through multiple channels of communication
3. Diversify funding sources to ensure stability and growth
4. Create a culture that attracts and retains staff and volunteers that are passionate about WFO.

 

2011 Program Results

• Served 1,985 low-income jobseekers in our Find a Job programs. Within 45 days of their interview wardrobe appointment, over 60% of jobseekers secured an interview and 43% secured employment. For those returning for working wardrobes, over 95% maintained employment after the first 90 days.
• Partnered with 43 local job-training organizations to support their clients in getting what they need to ace their interviews.
• Delivered 24 interview workshops to over 150 low-income jobseekers, giving them the confidence, networks, and experience they need to secure employment.
• Offered seven Pathways sessions serving 75 low-income individuals from our Pathways program.
• Six months after graduation from Pathways, 96% of graduates retained employment and the average annual salary increased 18%.  As a measure of their excellence on the job, 39% of graduates earned a raise, 18% earned a promotion and 72% were given more responsibility.
• In 2011, 42 unique individuals participated in our innovative Success Series program. Seventy-eight percent of graduates retained employment six months after graduation, the average salary increased by 11%, 22% earned a raise, 78% of participants made progress toward their goals and 78% reported an increase in job satisfaction and economic self-sufficiency.
• Over 20% of Alumni participated in our Alumni Program, taking advantage of peer-to-peer support groups, financial literacy training, and affordable career coaching.