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Home My WebLink AboutCRA-R-17-0015 BackupSUITED FOR SUCCESS 10 1600 NW 3"' Avenue, Suite 111 • Miami, FL 33136 February 28, 2017 To whom it may concern: DRESS FOR SUCCESS® Suited For Success/Dress for Success Miami is requesting a grant renewal in the amount of $110,000 from the CRA so that we may continue to provide low-income and disadvantaged clients with our vital employment skills training, professional business clothing and career development services. We are also asking for a two-year contract, totaling $220,000, to ensure uninterrupted service for the next two years. Since starting operations in 1994, Suited for Success has provided services to over 60,000 low-income men, women and youth in Miami -Dade County. At SFS we have instilled a level of confidence, dignity and empowerment among our at -risk populations in Miami and have seen great success stories these past few years. There is a great demand and need for our services especially given the recent economic downturn and last year alone we provided services to over 1,200 adults and youth seeking employment of which more than 400 came from the SEOPW/CRA community. As a nonprofit organization we rely on government assistance by means of grants to keep our organization going. As we enter our 8th year in the SEOPW/CRA neighborhood here are some of the accomplishments we have had over the past year: • We served more than 400 individuals from Overtown and surrounding neighborhoods and held 21 training programs at partners such as MDC, FIU, Chapman Partnership and Career Source. We reached out and established relationships with the following local agencies/businesses: Overtown Youth Center, YWCA, Camillus House, Urgent Inc., The Overtown NET Office, NANA, MDC Hospitality Training Institute, Booker T. Washington Senior High School, Miami Rescue Mission, Community Action Agency, and the newly formed Overtown Children and Youth Coalition (OCYC). We are launching a new Vets for Success program this year, which will provide training and certification in customer service to prepare unemployed veterans and family members for emerging employment opportunities in the area. I would like to request that we be placed on the March or April agenda of the CRA Commission meeting so that we can avoid any interruption of services to the community as our current contract ends May 31, 2017. We look forward to another successful year of providing the much needed services to our local residents. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Sonia Jacobson/ ounder & Executive Director Suited for Success Grant Proposal C RA FY 2017-18 The mission of Suited for Success (SFS) is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged men, women and youth by providing employment skills training, professional business attire for job interviews, a network of support and the career development tools to help them thrive in work and in life. We strive to provide assistance for the unemployed and under -employed adults and youth in the Overtown community helping them gain the professional skills they will need to find employment, accelerate their job search and build confidence through ongoing training sessions, one-on-one career coaching and networking in a supportive environment. History of Suited for Success Founded in 1994, Suited for Success answered a vital need for career -building initiatives after welfare reform was instituted. The Welfare Reform Act in 1996 set time restrictions for recipients on public assistance, which in turn forced heads of households into low -wage jobs. Because of the rapid increase in the number of poor, working adults, they had become a much underserved segment of society. Through our programs and services, Suited for Success was able to answer the needs of a growing, poverty-stricken workforce. Suited for Success has seen over 60,000 individuals since inception through its men's, women's (Dress for Success Miami) and youth programs. Program Description As a part of our program, job training classes are held at our location at The Culmer Center as well as at partnering agencies throughout Miami -Dade County. Our skills training course prepares clients on a variety of topics: Managing the job search; Interviewing skills; Proper dress; Resume writing; Financial literacy; Mock interviews. Once training has been completed, clients are given an appointment to receive business attire for their job interview. Clients arrive at SFS by referral only from over 125 social service agencies, including homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, and welfare -to -work job training centers. These partnering agencies refer clients to us while adhering to our strict referral criteria. In an average year, over 1,000 clients will be served by SFS. Approximately 50% of our clients are African -American, 45% are Hispanic and 5% are defined as "other" which includes Asian -American, Native American and those who don't define their background. Last year alone we provided services to 1,200 clients of which more than 400 adults and youth came from the Overtown community. Upon completion of the employment skills training course, clients receive an appointment at the SFS office to get them ready for their interviews. Trained volunteers provide one-on-one help and select a wardrobe appropriate for a job interview. Our volunteers are trained to gently guide the clients through the selection process, making recommendations and educating them on workplace expectations. Each client, be it man or woman, who comes to SFS receives personal attention and is treated with dignity and respect. Clients are encouraged to discuss their upcoming interview, professional presentation, child-care plans, and other concerns. Creating a positive environment for the client, SFS strives to stimulate self-confidence helping clients overcome the fears associated with job interviewing. Suited for Success wants to build upon our 22+ successful years of providing programs that support economic and social development to low-income clients who are entering or returning to the workforce. When we assist a client with skills to enable them to feel more confident in their job search and ultimately find employment we are helping a future generation into systematic change. Everyday we work towards getting men, women and their children out of poverty and into self-sufficiency by providing a cadre of services to move them into self-sufficiency. Suited for Success is requesting that the CRA consider our request for $110,000 to fund our program for 2017-18. This funding supports our Community Outreach Coordinator and Administrative Assistant positions, which increase the quality and scope of our services to the Overtown community. if possible, we'd like to secure a two-year grant for $110,000 per year, to ensure uninterrupted service to our clientele. With funding from the CRA we will be able to continue to meet the demands of the many people and agencies that call upon us for assistance. This past year we have had referrals from the following agencies located within the CRA boundaries: Transitions, Inc., The Overtown Youth Center, YWCA, Camillus House, Urgent Inc., Better Way of Miami, The Overtown NET Office, MDC Hospitality Training Institute, Chapman Partnership, Booker T. Washington Senior High School and Touching Miami with Love. These are only a partial list of the 125 agencies that refer clients to our office throughout the year. We have established relationships with Walmart, Carnival Cruise Lines, Miami Dade College and Macy's. In addition, Suited for Success is a member of the Overtown Children and Youth Coalition, working with community partners to enhance the services in Overtown for the underserved youth. Our location in The Culmer Center, 1600 NW Td Avenue, in the heart of Overtown gives us access to more space, training rooms and computer labs which will enhance our ongoing training programs. Community Recognition Over the past 20 years, SFS has received an enormous amount of community recognition. Here are some highlights: • Florida's Finest Award given my Governor Lawton Chiles • Outstanding Community Service Award given by Vice President Al Gore and The White House • United Way Impact Partner & Service Award Winner • Feature story on CNN December 2009 • Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Diamond Award Finalist • Department of Juvenile Justice Award Winner • South Florida Work Force Award Winner • City of South Miami Trailblazer Award • Women's Committee of One Hundred Award Winner • City of Miami Award Winner • Non -Violence Project Award Winner • PACE Award Winner • South Florida Women's Business Conference Award Winner • National Association of Courts Award Winner • Jewish Community Services multiple Award Winner • Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Award Winner • Proclamations from Miami -Dade County, City of Miami, City of South Miami SUITED FOR SUCCESS DRESS FOR SUCCESS' 1600 NW 31d Ave., Suite 111, Miami, FL 33136 M I A M I Suited For Success 1600 NW 3rd Avenue #111 Miami, FL 33136 Proposed Budget FY 2017-18 Description Proposed Budget Rent $5,000 Telephone/Communications 0 Project Staff Trainer $39,000 Program Developer/Training Manager $15,000 Overtown Liaisons (2 staff) $50,000 Marketing/Development/Outreach $0 Liability/Property Insurance $0 Office Supplies $1,000 Laptop Computers $2,000 TOTAL $112,000