Celebrating Milestones, One Success Story at a Time

FIND A JOB. KEEP A JOB. BUILD A CAREER.

ON OUR COVER

milestones

Marilyn Hannon, Pathways Graduate Success Series Participant 2011 Female Client of the Year

annual report 2010

table of contents

wardrobe.org

Opening Letter

3

Mission

4

History

5-6

Find A Job

7-8

Keep A Job

9-10

Build A Career

11-12

Financials

13

Partners

14

Supporters

15

Volunteers

16

Board and Staff

17

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milestones annual report 2010

To Our Supporters: We are thrilled to present our 2010 Annual Report – “15 Years of Opportunity:

Jackie Andrews graduated from Success Series in January 2010. A few short weeks

Celebrating Milestones, One Success Story at a Time.” As we complete our

after his first class, Jackie was promoted at his new job at Safeway. With a bit

fifteenth year of service, we are proud to look back and reflect on the success

more financial security, Jackie turned his attention to fulfilling a long-time dream:

of our organization and on the achievements of the nearly 20,000 clients

working in the medical field. Jackie is now a certified nursing assistant and home

that have been served by our programs.

care worker, and will be working at an East Bay nursing home in addition to his job

We crafted our tagline around three of the greatest accomplishments

their struggles and successes first hand, by watching the videos below.

at Safeway. We couldn’t be prouder of these two individuals; I encourage you to hear many of our clients face in their professional lives: finding a job, excelling Vanessa G. Chan Executive Director

at the workplace and achieving their career dreams. Our vision to support

Our organization has achieved many milestones over the course of its history -

low-income and working poor populations at every step of their career path

launching new programs, opening doors in new locations and growing to offer a

becomes more of a reality with every client who calls with news of a raise

suite of career services. Without your support, we would never have been able to

and with every story we hear of hope, happiness and self-sufficiency.

reach these achievements.

Take our 2010 Clients of the Year, for example. Rosa worked with a volun-

Thank you for making 15 years of milestones possible. Here’s to celebrating many

teer stylist who helped her pick clothes that were flattering and true to her

more in the years to come.

personality. “When you feel good about what you have on,” Rosa tells us, “it gives you a sense of confidence.” After her experience at WFO, she began working for the Social Services Department in San Francisco. Upon completing Pathways, she decided to pursue a degree in human services; graduating in Michelle Smith President, Board of Directors

2012 will be exactly what she needs to fulfill her dream of running a women’s

Vanessa G. Chan

Michelle Smith

recovery ministry.

Executive Director

President, Board of Directors

CLIENT OF THE YEAR VIDEOS Rosa Asana, 2010 Female Client of the Year: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSgKuMjclKo

FIND A JOB. KEEP A JOB. BUILD A CAREER.

Jackie Andrews, 2010 Male Client of the Year: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqXMBMPq5q4

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

wardrobe.org

milestones

history

annual report 2010

When I started Wardrobe for Opportunity sixteen years ago, it was a mere idea, but one I believed was necessary. As a career counselor, I often wondered how the individuals I worked with could become successful if they weren’t able to make that important first impression. At the time, no other agency was providing image coaching for interviews, coupled with quality business clothing for low-income women. So in 1995 we started WFO and by the end of its first year, we began to help low-income women look professional, feel confident and have hope for the future. Over the years, we have created programs that not only help people find jobs, but give them the power to make their own decisions, live a successful life, and ultimately, become self-sufficient. With your support, we have worked towards the vision of helping our clients feel confident, inspired and hopeful. Along the way, we have reached amazing milestones, which you will find on this page. Jeri Foster, Founder Wardrobe for Opportunity

With your continued support, we believe that anything and everything is possible.

1995

1998

2001

2004

2006

2 2007

2008

2 2009

Jeri Foster’s vision

Our clients are

Pathways is

WFO moves its

WFO hosts its first ever

Interview work-

WFO opens a location

The first ever

Our alumni

becomes a reality -

getting jobs! For

launched. To

headquarters to

Style for a Steal event,

shops are launched,

in Concord, enabling

Success Series

program launches,

WFO is founded

continued support,

date, over 500

downtown Oakland.

offering our quality

connecting our

us to extend our

class begins,

giving clients

and the doors

we begin to offer

graduates have

boutique merchandise

clients to the business

services to men and

offering participants extended support,

of our first loca-

Working Wardrobes.

taken the next step

After 10 years of serving

to clients at an

community and

women in Contra

classroom training,

financial literacy

towards success.

women, the Men’s

affordable price.

to expert advice.

Costa County.

coaching and

training and

mentorship.

professional

tion open.

Program is launched at our Oakland location.

2010

Image workshops take

development

off, offering professional

resources...

dressing advice to partners and clients.

FIND A JOB. KEEP A JOB. BUILD A CAREER.

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milestones annual report 2010

...in 2010 wardrobe for opportunity celebrates 15 years of service,

over 15,000 lives inspired and thousands of milestones... With your continued support, we believe that anything and everything is possible.

wardrobe.org

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milestones

find a job

annual report 2010

stats - Served over

2,000 low-income jobseekers

- Within 60 days of their interview wardrobe appointment, - Partnered with

45% of clients secured employment.

48 community partners

Interview Wardrobes give clients a new look from head to toe, with the help of a trained personal stylist to find the right attire for their interviews.

With the unemployment rate in the Bay Area at 9.9%1, WFO gives clients the confidence

Professional Image Workshops guide clients through what to wear, what not to wear and how to present themselves in a professional environment. Interview Workshops hosted by corporate sponsors,

and attire needed to be competitive and put their best foot forward.

give clients the chance to practice their interview skills with 3-4 professionals. 1

“Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment-December 2010,” Bureau of Labor Statistics: U.S. Department of Labor, February 2011. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/metro.pdf

FIND A JOB. KEEP A JOB. BUILD A CAREER.

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find a job

annual report 2010

meet our clients Growing up with a visual impairment made life for Joseph Chow difficult. He struggled to read and excel as a student and not being able to drive limited his activities as an adult. The challenges Joseph faced prevented him from finding and securing employment: An avid technology fan, Joseph had the skills and education to excel in the field, but he lacked the confidence needed to make the right first impression. Unable to support himself, Joseph applied to the Stride Center, where he could begin his technology certification. Through the program, he was referred to WFO.

The experience of getting advice about what to wear to an interview was overwhelming for the 35-year old: “It was just like a department store, but at WFO they told me what would work on me and what wouldn’t. I felt confident in my clothes.”

With a new skip in his step, Joseph began attending our interview workshops. The opportunity to practice his interview skills with real professionals paid off: Joseph secured a job working at the Adaptive Equipment Store at the Lighthouse for the Blind. “The workshops and my suit helped me feel confident when I interviewed.” Joseph looks forward to continuing to expand his technology education at the Stride Center and is enrolling in Pathways for Men this summer.

“One day I’ll reach my goal of helping people with and without disabilities through informational technology.” wardrobe.org

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milestones

keep a job

annual report 2010

stats - 6 months after graduation:

82% of Pathways graduates retained employment.

- 6 months after graduation:

26% of graduates earned a raise.

- Over

95% of working wardrobe clients maintained employment after the first 90 days.

Pathways Participants graduate having learned to strengthen their communication and conflictresolution skills and to lay a foundation to excel on the job. Working Wardrobes give individuals an initial set of professional clothing to help them feel confident

The first 90 days at a new job can be a challenge for many working poor employees. WFO offers a supportive transition to employment, preparing individuals for success at the workplace.

while on the job.

FIND A JOB. KEEP A JOB. BUILD A CAREER.

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keep a job

annual report 2010

Estranged from her family, 21-year old Stephanie Angeles’ only support for most of her life was her grandmother - and once she had moved out, she felt alone and unmotivated. Two years after starting college, she quit, choosing to make money over completing school.

Her boyfriend, Jose Nuñez, wasn’t sure what he wanted out of life either. He took odd jobs after graduating from high school, but couldn’t commit to a career path. Then in November 2009, Jose received a tragic wake-up call: he was shot in the back by a man trying to rob him. The experience forced him to start thinking about the rest of his life.

It was in early 2010 that Jose and Stephanie heard about the Pathways program. Stephanie bonded with her female classmates, who inspired her to go back to school. She enrolled at Heald College and began working 35 hours a week as a technician at an oil change station. Stephanie is the first person in her family to go to college, and she’s looking forward to starting her career in criminal justice. She is dedicated to motivating at-risk youth in the same way that her fellow Pathways women motivated her. Jose was inspired by the men in his class as well - “I would always look forward to my next class...I felt safe in that environment.” During the program, he was laid off from his mechanics job. Rather than take it as a failure, Jose took action: he enrolled in an electrician certification program. He took a temp job as a maintenance electrician and eventually moved to a permanent position with a $5 an hour raise. He loves the work and looks forward to graduating with his certification this summer. Ask the enthusiastic couple what surprised them the most about the class and they’ll tell you how their relationship with each other got stronger. “He and I saw a change in each other.” Stephanie says, “And it helped our communication. They say the best place to practice your skills is in your home. Pathways taught us that.” Now Stephanie and Jose put their best foot forward in their personal and professional lives.

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milestones

build a career

annual report 2010

stats 6 months after graduation: - Graduates’ average annual salary increased by -

9%.

98% of graduates reported having a high rate of economic self-sufficiency.

- Over

95% of graduates had a savings account.

Success Series incorporates classroom training, one-on-one coaching and mentoring, providing participants with the knowledge, skills and leadership to achieve personal and professional success.

Despite being employed, 22% of households are below the self-sufficiency standard in the

WFO’s Alumni Program includes support circles, access to IDA accounts and affordable career coaching. WFO graduates connect with each other and share resources they need to advance their careers.

Style for a Steal Events are bi-annual events that give our clients the opportunity to supplement their career wardrobes and carry themselves with

Bay Area. WFO programs provide participants with the self-confidence and career building tools needed to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

confidence by offering professional clothing at a low cost.

FIND A JOB. KEEP A JOB. BUILD A CAREER.

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build a career

annual report 2010

Four years ago, Toni Hunt Hines received the call every mother dreads: Her 20-year old son, who had never been in serious trouble in his life, had been murdered. Devastated and shocked by this tragedy, Toni and her family’s life began to unravel. Her marriage was on the rocks, her home went into foreclosure and grief left Toni feeling sad but determined to help herself.

When Toni heard about Pathways, she enrolled immediately. She was grateful for the compassion in the room: the energy gave her the power to be a stronger communicator, to truly hear others before responding. She was thrilled about the confidence and skill set each class provided. As a result, Toni landed her dream job as a Peer Parent Advocate Coordinator. By the time she graduated, Toni was hooked on WFO. She enrolled in the first Success Series of 2011. “I needed to manage people, not tasks. Success Series taught me to be less task-oriented.” When Toni received the news that her salary would be increased by nearly 10% annually, she knew she had herself and WFO to thank.

Success Series helped with more than just the raise: it helped her find a way to heal. Toni had always wanted to create a group that was focused on nonviolence, peace and unity. A four-year dream was finally becoming a reality: she had a set of steps to reach her goal and a concrete way to honor her son.

“Through WFO, I learned to use my grief as a platform for pursuing my passion in advocacy and youth leadership development, instead of as a barrier.” Toni takes care of others at her workplace and of children and youth as a volunteer at Coleman Advocates. And she’s finally taking care of herself: “I do yoga, I exercise and I’m doing this course. “Success Series helped me learn about self-care and it’s helping me see that the answers were inside of me all along.”

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milestones m

financials

annual report 2010

financial statement 2010 total revenue

FIND A JOB. KEEP A JOB.asBUILD CAREER. * This includes a write off of $166,000 a result of A cleaning out 6 years’ worth of unusable clothing and accessories from our storage, which we then donated or recycled.

$277,063 27.5%

2.9% Gains & Interests

In-Kind Contributions & Donated Clothing

Fundraising $116,560 9.7%

Program $1,020,868 85.1%

FIND

KEEP

15.7% BUILD

11.9%

2010 expenditures by department

2010 total expenses Management & General $62,315 5.2%

$28,967

11.4% $114,980

Events, Net of Expenses

$100,888 9.9%

1,020,868 62,315 116,560 1,199,743

Earned Income

$121,607

Program* Management & General Fundraising Total Expenses

Grants

$160,560

Expenses 2010

Individuals

62.5%

68,310 266,000 110,400 86,666 114,980 12,968 41,110 28,967 277,063 1,006,464

$637,813

Unrestricted Donations Unrestricted Grants Restricted Donations Partnership Fees Special Events Net Revenue Style for a Steal Events Consignment Income Gains and Interest Income Donated Income Total Support & Revenue

14%

Statement of Activities 2010 Support & Revenue

$140,744

849,956

37.4%

Net Assets

$376,400

879,976 30,020

$68,310

Assets Liabilities

6.8%

Statement of Financial Position 2010

Other

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milestones

partners

annual report 2010

GOLD

STANDARD

Alameda County Social Services

Alameda Co Assoc Community

Heald College-San Francisco

Goodwill-San Francisco Ramp Program

Action Program (ACACAP)

Heald College-San Jose

SF Conservation Corps

Alameda Point Collaborative

Intensive Job Readiness Training

America Works

Program-San Francisco Goodwill

American Indian Child

Independent Living Skills

Resource Center

Program-Contra Costa County

Arriba Juntos

Martinez Adult Education

Berkeley Youth Alternatives

Michael Chavez Center

Beyond Emancipation

Oakland PIC

Bonita House

Biotech Partners

Social Services Agency Oakland PIC

Carrington College California-San Leandro Site

Center for Adaptive Learning

STAND Against Domestic Violence

Goodwill Homeless Services-Oakland

Chrysalis

Students Rising Above

The Stride Center

SILVER

Civicorps School

Swords to Plowshares

Inter-City Services, Inc.

College of Alameda One Stop

The Bread Project

Oakland Housing Authority

Coro Center for Civic Leadership

Tri-Valley Regional Occu-

Shelter, Inc.

Department of Rehabilitation

pation Program

East Bay Community Recovery Project

Volunteers of America-Bay Area

Everest College-Hayward

Workforce Collaborative

First Place for Youth

Year Up

Heald College-Concord Heald College-Hayward

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milestones

supporters ($50,000 and above) Chevron Corporation Morris Foundation ($25,000 and above) Thomas J. Long Foundation Walter and Elise Haas Fund Y&H Soda Foundation ($10,000 and above) Ameriprise Financial Bank of the West Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation Delong-Sweet Family Foundation East Bay Community Foundation Five Bridges Foundation HEDCO Foundation Horn, Nick and Pamela Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund PMI Foundation San Francisco Foundation SAP US Bank Wells Fargo Bank ($5,000 and above) Bank of America EMC Corporation Kaiser Permanente Lincoln Financial Foundation Rognier, Chris and Libby Strive for Change Foundation Sybase, Inc. TJX Foundation Union Bank ($1,000 and above) Alexander & Baldwin Foundation Archer Norris Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation Broadway Plaza Charles Schwab Foundation Doering Family Foundation Dome Construction Eden Medical Center Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation

annual report 2010

Express to Success Network Glenview Women’s Club Heckler, Paula Kan, Pamela Lowell Berry Foundation Mechanics Bank Morgan Stanley Foundation Mt. Diablo Business Women O’Reilly, David and Joan Pate, Lindsey PG&E Price Charitable Foundation Safeway Foundation Salesforce.com Foundation San Ramon Rotary Foundation Seeno, Sandra Shorenstein Realty Services Smith, Michelle Tennenbaum, Jay Washington Township Medical Group ($500 and above) Bennett, Laura Brahe, Brigid Burger, Barbara Byrne, Robert and Chris Chan, Vanessa Dornsife, Dana Douglah, Leila Green, Sue Jenkins Athens Insurance Miska, Ruth Pynn, Abigail Roberson, Matthew Ryan, Robert and Michele Santon, Judi and Ted Scott, Laura SonicRecruit Vose, Elizabeth Weller, Maria Workday ($100 and above) Acord, Rod Adler, Betsy

FIND A JOB. KEEP A JOB. BUILD A CAREER.

Altman, Sondra Aquino, Rebecca Babb, Bill Baldwin, Jane and David Barrere, Chris Bateson, Suzan Bennett, Linda Berger, Katherine Bethancourt, Deborah Bhatt, Kamaliniee Billinghurst, Donna Lee Brown, Jacqueline Burchik, Christina Burroughs, Susan Casto, Manya Helgerson Chiasson, William and Carol Chick, Vee Chritton, Susan Clark, Nancy Clark-Phillips, Nancy Clearpath Business Advisors Climb Realty Corcoran, Rosemary Critiano, Janet Cross, Kathryn Dalziel, Doug Daniels, Barbara de Urioste, Jan DeJong, Sharon Dellinger, Amy Deutsche, Patty Dias, Lynette Dooley, Debra Draney, Virginia Dreher, Deborah Dreyer, Madelyn Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Foundation Duckett, Tamera Eckhardt, Shireen Farasati, Lauren Fay, Karen Ferguson, Elizabeth Ferguson, Janice Ferland, Rene Fortner, William

Foster, Jeri Gaskin, Jenise Georgiu, Mia Gerson, Susan Gin, Winnifred Grigsby, Mittie Grube, Glen Guy, Susanne Hadnot, Guy Hall, Carole Hall, Marlene Ann Hemming, D. Carter Heyer, Shelley Howe, Kirsten James, Erika Joseph, Maxine Jung, Kathy Jung, Raymond Kaplan, Marjorie Keehn, Thomas Krawitt, Eric Lamb, Jerry and Julie Leck, Linda Levesque, Mary Geraci Lilja, Kay Mackie, Madelyn Manley, Randall Markus, Lorna Matlin, Michelle Mazzanti, Martin McClure, Chris McDevitt, Mary McDonald, Dorothy McLain, Barbara McNeil, Nancy Mitchell, Peggy Morris, Linda Narayan, Sujata Niemeyer, Kirsten Nikl, Alma Noonan, Catherine O’Roke, Gail Pacelli, John Palmer, Ruth

Perez, Carmelita Pickerell, Debra Prater, Penny Lynn Preston, Linda Quinn, Dian Rambo-Rodgers, Renee Reeves, Becky Reilly, Jean Ritchey, Sharon and Don Rivera, Maria San, K. Scala, Kimberly Schiemann, Robert Skylar, Lisa Slavin, Lillian Smith, Judith Smith, Lorelei Triner, Jackie Trzesniewski, Janet Tsou, Lynna Turman, Renee Van Shuff, Jeanne Vantilburg, Julie Walker, Brian Ward, Maretta Whitman, Pam Wong, Kinley Wong, Michael Yau, Leilani (Employee Matching) Bank of the West Matching Chevron Humankind Matching Salesforce Gift Matching SAP Gift Matching United Way Matching Wells Fargo Matching

Angel Investors WFO’s Angel Investors make a significant contribution in order to ensure the long-term sustainability and impact of our organization. We thank them for helping us to continue working towards a vision of economic self-sufficiency for every individual in the Bay Area. Horn, Nick and Pamela Slavin, William and Martha

Guardian Circle Wardrobe for Opportunity’s Guardian Circle is a special group of our supporters who are committed to assisting individuals on their path to economic self-sufficiency.

In-Kind Donations ($5,000 and above) The Men’s Wearhouse VCP Associates

Byrne, Robert and Chris Heckler, Paula Kan, Pamela Smith, Michelle

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milestones

volunteers

annual report 2010

Volunteers of The Year, 2010 2010 Female Volunteer of the Year: WFO is fortunate to have Carmen Santisteban’s dedication for over two years. Carmen volunteers

stats:

nearly every single week as a stylist and creates a welcoming environment for all clients. Her time spent at WFO includes a long list of roles. She has brought friends and family to WFO, volunteered at our events, hosted wardrobe drives, is interested in promoting all of our programs (and even has participated in Pathways), and has championed for WFO with her own company! Carmen is a true supporter of WFO across all levels.

Since 1995, over 80,000 volunteer hours have been given to WFO.

2010 Male Volunteer of the Year: Jay Tennenbaum came to WFO after reading a piece in Diablo Magazine about the prestigious

Our 2010 volunteers

Threads of Hope Award given to one of our volunteers. Over a year later, he is still going strong.

contributed over $170,000 to

Styling nearly every week, Jay is an amazing addition to our professional image program. He is

our organization through over

a team player-always pitching in to help out where help is needed. He can make every client feel

8,000 hours of donated time.

at ease and gives them the confidence boost they need. In 2010, Jay became a member of our Advisory Board. He is a strong supporter of WFO and you will see him with his family, attending our events and much more.

volunteer info: WFO hosts nearly 200 volunteers from Alameda and Contra Costa counties who work across the organization as evaluation experts, boutique managers and mentors. These individuals are the backbone of the organization and ensure that we are able to serve thousands of clients every year. Our volunteers include program alumni who return to the organization to give back. wardrobe.org

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milestones

board & staff

annual report 2010

2011 Board of Directors

2011 Advisory Board

Sue Guy , Chief Human Resources Director

David Olson, President

Fred Finch Youth Center

Mark Gaskins, Vice President

Guy Hadnot,

Heidi Crouch, Secretary

Product Development Manager

Linda Bennett

AAA

Susan Chritton

Colleen Rinehart Murray,

Donna Darling

Vice President Software Development

Jan de Urioste

Oracle

Vanessa Chan

Ashley Goldsmith

Executive Director

Client Coordinator

Email: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

Nicole Adams

Nina Jacinto

Coordinator,

Manager, Development & Grants

Professional Image

Email: [email protected]

AmeriCorps VISTA Email: [email protected]

Nick Horn

Director of Operations

Joan O’Reilly Jay Tennenbaum

Michael Mulhern Manager, Volunteers &

Sue Green

Michelle Smith, President Washington Township Medical Group

Staff

Mahogany Charlton

Find a Job Programs

Manager,

Email: [email protected]

Build a Career Programs Email: [email protected]

Hank Ramirez Program Specialist,

Jeanne Van Shuff , CPA,

Jill Walker

CVA, Treasurer

Sandy Woehl

Carol Chiasson

Community Partnerships

Finance Manager

Email: [email protected]

Burr, Pilger, and Mayer, LLP

Email: [email protected]

Vanessa Chan, Executive Director

Caitlin Gesell

Manager, Corporate

Wardrobe for Opportunity

Coordinator

Partnerships & Events

Development and Marketing

Email: [email protected]

Donna Souza

AmeriCorps VISTA Email: [email protected]

Sunny Suppa Director of Programs Email: [email protected]

FIND A JOB. KEEP A JOB. BUILD A CAREER.

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