He's not even a Bottom Dollar shopper

I had made arrangements with Capacity Developers to meet me at my church this morning, so that they could pick up all the donations made for my Dress 4 Work service project. My faith in humanity was restored by the overwhelming response. I want to thank all the people who made Dress 4 Work 2013 even better than last year.

While I was waiting for the truck to arrive, my daughter had emailed this link to me. One Time A Guy Gave A Homeless Man A Computer, And The Recipient Did Exactly What The Giver Expected 

If I'd have heard about what this guy was planning to do before it all played out, I might have thought he was unrealistic or maybe even condescending. But after watching the video, I realized that there's a much bigger thing at play here: We need to remember that every human being is unique and full of potential. We don't know other people's stories.

Thank you to all the generous people in my church, family, friends, and neighbors, who like the computer programmer, are willing to give the less fortunate a chance to succeed.

Dress 4 Work 2013

Six years ago, I started Dress 4 Work through my church, in conjunction with the Urban League of Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, the Urban League lost its funding and ended the program. Their clothing donations were shipped to Capacity Developers, Inc.  CDI was able to fill the gap by providing clothing assistance to individuals involved in employment and training initiatives. During the month of November, I will be collecting men’s business, scrubs, and business casual attire that are clean and fashionable. Items needed are men’s suits, slacks and jackets, scrubs, work shirts, golf shirts, dress shirts, ties, socks, shoes, coats, and even tuxedos!

If you have any donations, contact me at EGillen476@aol.com for details.

Please check your closets and drawers and at the same time, help job-seeking men become self-sufficient members of their communities. Thank you for supporting this annual event and helping men Dress 4 Work.

Dress 4 Work 2012

 I want to thank Parishioners of Holy Cross Church and friends outside of Holy Cross, who donated to the fifth annual Dress 4 Work. I am touched by your generosity to support my annual service project held in Tom’s memory. I believe that Tom would have been pleased knowing that so many men will be able to look their best for job interviews and at work. Thank you, Holy Cross and Friends, for all your love and helping men Dress 4 Work. Happy New Year.

Elaine Gillen

Dress 4 Work 2012

Five years ago, I started Dress 4 Work through my church, in conjunction with Capacity Developers, Inc. Capacity Developers work with individuals in preparing for job interviews or employment. During the month of November, I will be collecting men’s business, scrubs, and business casual attire that are clean and fashionable. Items needed are men’s suits, slacks and jackets, scrubs, work shirts, golf shirts, dress shirts, ties, socks, shoes, and coats.  

If you have any donations, contact me at EGillen476@aol.com for details.

Please check your closets and drawers and at the same time, help job-seeking men become self-sufficient members of their communities. Thank you for supporting this annual event and helping men Dress 4 Work.

While we are cleaning house today

Don't forget to clean out your closets and drawers for my Dress 4 Work project. I am collecting clean, men's clothing for Capacity Developers, in my husband's memory. For more information about donating to this worthy cause, please email me at EGillen476@aol.com.

Providing systems of support to ensure self-reliance, healthy families and economic stability.

Dress 4 Work

We all know that the economy is bad.  Some people are living paycheck to paycheck. That is one of the reasons I spoke against the 10.5% increase in our school taxes. (Remember, some of the same board members are up for reelection, but that is another story.) However, the people who are living paycheck to paycheck are the lucky ones.  There are many more who are unemployed and cannot afford to buy nice clothes for interviews or work.  Some local charities do not accept men’s suits anymore.  Many times, the larger charities sell clothing by the pound to industries that turn them into rags or shred them for stuffing.  The clothes that do make the racks cannot be purchased by those out of work because they do not have the resources to do so. 

Four years ago, I started Dress 4 Work through my church, in conjunction with Capacity Developers, Inc. Capacity Developers work with individuals in preparing for job interviews or employment. During the month of November, I will be collecting men’s business, scrubs, and business casual attire that are clean and fashionable. Items needed are men’s suits, slacks and jackets, scrubs, work shirts, golf shirts, dress shirts, ties, socks, shoes, and coats.  

If you have any donations, contact me at EGillen476@aol.com for details.

Please check your closets and drawers and at the same time, help job-seeking men become self-sufficient members of their communities. Thank you for supporting this annual event and helping men Dress 4 Work.

House bill would allow non-seniority teacher layoffs

In addition to advocating government transparency, I believe our government must assume fiscal responsibility.  What I don't like to see is unemployment.  That is why I started my annual community service project, Dress 4 Work. I collect clothing suitable for job interviews, which in turn is donated to Capacity Developers, a non-profit that provides systems of support to ensure self-reliance, healthy families and economic stability. 

Now I am seeing our School District in dire straits; holding town hall meetings in empty rooms, raising taxes, and facing a $113.3 million project during a time when our governor is proposing deep cuts in education. 

New legislation would, for the first time in decades, allow teachers and other school professionals to be laid off to help close budget shortfalls.
Read more here:  House bill would allow non-seniority teacher layoffs