Ready for Success

THE ECS
READY FOR SUCCESS
PROGRAM provides low-income women with new or gently-used professional clothing, accessories, and new personal care items suitable for job interviews and the workplace.

Ready for Success (RFS) was founded as a community outreach project of Trinity Episcopal Church in Excelsior in 1997. RFS became a program of ECS in 2001 and has served more than 5000 low-income women entering or returning to the workplace.

The Ready for Success Program is unique from other clothing programs or ministries in many ways:

  • Individual appointments
  • Personal shoppers for each client
  • Accessories and personal care items
  • Return visits to build a seasonal wardrobe
  • Boutique style atmosphere
Who are Ready for Success clients?

RFS clients are referred by local social service agencies. Women referred for services are often experiencing a life transition and are in need of appropriate clothing for entering or re-entering the job market. Often, women may be referred following a personal set-back such as incarceration or rehabilitation for chemical dependency.

“Thank you so much for the positve experience I had at Ready for Success. I usually hate going out in public but you truly made it easy and I appreciate the four outfits I received. The clothes that my volunteer shopper helped me pick out all seemed to fit very well. I have been wearing the same old jumper to my job interviews and this is a welcome change. These new outfits look and fit so nice. I feel so much better about going into interviews now. So thank you a lot!”

~ Letter from RFS Client

What do Ready for Success clients receive?

Each client is welcomed for three visits to help them build a seasonable wardrobe. RFS clients receive professional clothing, shoes, purses, personal care items, and much more. ECS and their partners throughout the Twin Cities collect items for RFS through collection drives. In addition to clothing, clients also receive:

- New undergarments
- New hosiery
- Jewelry
- New personal care items
- Gently-used or new shoes
- Gently-used or new handbag
- Seasonal outerwear
- Casual and special occasion items

"I came to Ready for Success expecting to receive clothes for my body. But you dressed my soul."

~ Quote from RFS client

Donating to Ready for Success

Ready for Success accepts clean, “gently used” and new professional and business casual clothing. Donations of shoes, scarves, jewelry, watches, purses, belts, seasonal outerwear, and undergarments are particularly needed, as are clothing items in sizes 14 and higher. Donations are taken by appointment only, please call 612-872-1509 to schedule.

Mondays are donation days!!
Call for an Appointment
612.813-5600 x16
RFS Minneapolis Location Only

If you would like to donate funds so that RFS can purchase items not frequently available through donations, please contact 612-813-5600 x16.


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