Lawrenceville, NJ.  (February 1, 2013) Imagine losing your home, belongings, or job due to Hurricane Sandy. Unfortunately, for many people in NJ these things happened as a result of the storm. Many residents have been struggling in the aftermath and working to rebuild their lives. Several Dress for Success Mercer County volunteers from Monmouth and Ocean counties experienced losses and wanted to help women in their own communities who were severely impacted. Suits for Sandy was created to help women affected recover and succeed in the workplace. 

“We recognized that there was a need in the community to assist women whose employment circumstances were forever changed due to the storm.” said Executive Director Lorrie Klaric, “Women whose place of business was destroyed are finding themselves unemployed and in need
of career services. Where do you start when you haven’t prepared a resume or looked for a job in years? How do you rebuild your wardrobe and your career, when you need to rebuild simultaneously all that you have lost? Our mission is to support women in need with a network of support – including personalized career tools and business attire. Our team found a way to turn the devastating
circumstances into a positive way to give back to the community.”

In a first of its kind program, Dress for Success Mercer County, headquartered in Lawrenceville, is taking their services on the road for Suits for Sandy on February 15-16. Hosted by Christ Episcopal Church in Toms River, they will provide professional attire and interview and career counseling to pre-registered women whose professional
lives have been disrupted by Sandy.

Dress for Success Mercer County volunteers will help “suit ” ladies who may have lost their work clothes or job due to the storm. Personal shopper volunteers work with each woman individually to select a custom outfit for her job or interview. The women are encouraged to bring their resumes as career counselors will also provide resume assistance, interview preparation and other job search resources for those seeking employment.

The Suits for Sandy event is Friday, February 15, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday, February 16, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 415 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ. Pre-Registration is required. You may
register online at www.dressforsuccess.org/mercercounty or by calling 609-896-4112.

About Dress for Success Mercer County:
Since 2007, Dress for Success Mercer County has helped women in 6 counties achieve confidence and success in the workplace. They provide free services to job ready clients. For information or to learn about upcoming events, connect at www.facebook.com/dressforsuccessmercer, via twitter @DFSMercer or visit www.dressforsuccess.org/mercercounty. 
Born in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 120 cities in 13 countries.

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