the 18 Edition of Governing for Results - Washington State Digital ...

Employment Security Department
WorkFirst Clothes Closet
The Vancouver WorkFirst Unit helps support one of the largest populations of welfare
clients in the state with required job search activities. In July 2001, their funding for
clothing allowances was cut from $450 to $200 for welfare recipients and to $25 for
food stamp clients. Concerned that with that reduction, the "A" Team brainstormed
ideas for continuing to supply clothing resources to their job seekers. They reached
consensus to create an inventory for a professional clothing closet. Each team
member donated $5 towards the purchase of some 50 outfits from a local thrift store
and accepted clothing donations from co-workers and others. The "A" Team
prepared closet space and made items available to clients. One team member even
donated holiday crafts for a sale that added another $380 towards future purchases.
Now, when a participant requests a clothing voucher, staff takes them to the closet to
meet their needs immediately. Many staff are themselves resale shoppers and
encourage clients to stretch allowance dollars there first.
Results
! Even though clothing allocations dropped from $102,000 to $38,000 for six
months, the Clothes Closet closed the gap and met participants' needs.
! Team kept support service spending within allotted budget for the year.
! The closet inventories 200+ items, serving 30+ customers weekly.
! Project maintains a collective sense of commitment and caring for team's
purpose to serve customers with quality resources.
! Professionally dressed clients help team reach WorkFirst placement goals.
Team Name: The “A” Team
Team Members: Lucy Amie, Jan Baur, Charla Bollman, Eka Frimpong, Karen
Harmon, Dorothy Hertz, Michelle Hurdle-Bradford, Molly Jeannet, Holly Parkin, Joe
Smith, Bill Tatum, Marie Wodaege, Rod Carpenter, John Reavis, Colleen Hankins
CONTACT: Jan Baur, (360) 735-4967
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