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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday January 31, 2009 - 9 MICHAEL IVANIN / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER SUITED UP FOR THE JOB: From left, Jan Prange, Jane Kelly, Sue Logan and Linda Riddoch of Clothing Works, a volunteer-based charitable organization that provides business clothing at no cost to economically-challenged women re-entering workforce, are fighting to find a new location after 10 years in business. In Timbits Hockey, half the fun is sharing a moment ­ along with making new friends, learning valuable life lessons and discovering a love for the game. That's why Tim Hortons is proud to support over 480 boys and girls who play Timbits Hockey in Oakville. Clothing Works desperate to find a new home -- soon By Angela Blackburn it. The spa's owner is closing the business because of economic considerations and, despite appealing to its community agency contacts, personal and professional contacts, even local government representatives, Clothing Works has turned up nothing in the way of a solution to its space crisis. "We must find a new home by Feb. 12 in order to continue offering our important services," said Prange. A meeting of the charity's volunteer executive was held earlier this week at Kelly's home to brainstorm last-minute suggestions. Clothing Works needs about 400 square feet in which to operate. It has one telephone line -- and could even do without that. It does not need to be a storefront and, in fact, a basement-type setting works best as the service is confidential and by appointment only. The 400 square feet can be open space somewhere, as Clothing Works volunteers like Audrey Hutchins can, and have, set up a suitable environment within such a space to accommodate fittings and storage. The only real criteria Clothing Works needs is that its location is on, or near, a bus route. Of course, operating on volunteer goodwill and a very meager shoestring of a budget, the space must be available free of charge. "While we are fortunate to be on the receiving end of a good amount of donated clothing and accessories, we receive very little in the form of donated funds. As a result, we operate on a OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The first goal is having fun. For 10 years, Clothing Works has been putting women into business, but now the Oakville charity is facing the possibility of going out of business itself -- and very soon. "We need that one charitable person to hear our story and help us," said Jan Prange who co-chairs Clothing Works with Jane Kelly. Since its inception a decade ago -- from an idea brainstormed by a quartet of women while on a walk in the woods -- Clothing Works has been helping women get into the business world by providing those who need it, the clothing for job interviews. Getting started under the umbrella of The Women's Centre, the four cofounders located rent-free space at Necessities, an esthetics business at 74 Rebecca St., soon had their own charitable registration and were off to business. From the basement of Necessities, volunteer consultants assist clients in selecting and fitting suitable clothing. All fittings are by appointment only and are confidential. The clients keep the clothes, which are provided at no charge. Clients come to Clothing Works via a broad range of community agencies and people. Over the years, Prange estimates "thousands" of women have been assisted. However, just before Christmas, Clothing Works found out the faltering economy was to take its toll -- on shoestring budget and cannot afford to pay market rent for our space," said Prange. According to Prange, many of the Clothing Works volunteers had been involved in charitable efforts that revolved around fundraising and were looking to help out with something that had a more direct impact on those in need. "Some times women come in and they're feeling down. They look it. They're almost embarrassed to be there. Then, when they leave, they're walking like they're a foot taller," said volunteer Julia Prange. The charity accepts donations of clothing at downtown Oakville's BII (Barbette's) boutique located at 349 Lakeshore Rd. E. Clothing Works also receives donations of some funds from the May Court Club of Oakville. In return, it passes along any donations that are not suitable to a work environment to the May Court Club. Clothing Works also had support from the Community Foundation of Oakville (CFO). "Clothing Works is an Oakville, volunteer-based charitable organization that provides work-appropriate clothing at no cost to economically challenged women who are re-entering the work force," said Prange. "We like to say we offer a hand up, not a hand out," said Kelly. But instead of celebrating its 10th anniversary, Clothing Works has its nose to the grindstone trying to turn up a new home. © Tim Hortons, 2007 To send in a story or place an ad in the Oakville Beaver please call 905-845-3824 2OO9 M e t r o T o r o n t o C o n v e n t i o n C e n t r e February 27 - March 1 www.torontogolfshow.com See A small page 14