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Home My WebLink AboutCRA-R-21-0020 Back-upSuited for Success Grant Proposal CRA FY 2020-21 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), military veteran (Vets for Success), and youth programs. Program Description As a part of our program, job training classes are held in Overtown 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 1,066 clients of which more than 370 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. In 2019, we launched a new Mobile Career Center program, made possible with a custom fitted RV donated by Simply Healthcare. With the new unit, we are able to take our suiting program to our partner training locations and provide those clients with their suitings on the same day, streamlining our process and getting clients interview -ready even faster. In the first four months of the program, we served 46 individuals with the unit. 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 25 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. Over the past several months, we have made necessary updates to our programs and operations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our office and services were put on hold in March 2020, and staff began working remotely. In May 2020, we launched our first virtual workshop and opened our Virtual Career Center, providing one-on-one services to jobseekers across South Florida. Virtual workshops have continued weekly, and have garnered positive feedback, and we plan to incorporate this even after our in -person services resume. With unemployment spiking across industries due to business closures (both temporary and permanent) and furloughs, we opened these virtual services to the wider community of job seekers and case managers to address this urgent need. Operationally, we are reopening slowly and with added health and safety measures. We deep cleaned and sanitized our office, and equipped staff to work remotely. As we reopen, limited staff will be in the office to enable adequate social distancing. As we prepare to suit clients again, we have created new guidelines for client and staff safety, including limiting the number of clients seen per day, closing our dressing rooms, COVID surveys and temperature checks, providing hand sanitizer, masks and disposable socks, disinfecting between clients, and regular deep cleaning and sanitation of the entire office. We have also implemented new contactless donation procedures for safer intake of donated items. Suited for Success is requesting that the CRA consider our request for $190,000 per year to fund our program for 2020-21. This funding will enable us to continue our community training workshops, including the new virtual training, and to bolster our outreach efforts to the community. We would also like to be considered for a two-year renewal. 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., Overtown Youth Center, YWCA, Camillus House, Urgent Inc., Better Way of Miami, NANA, Overtown Business Resource Center, 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 Amazon, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, and Capital One. 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 3rd Avenue, in the heart of Overtown gives us access to nearby space and training rooms which 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® MIAMI Suited For Success 1600 NW 3rd Avenue #111 Miami, FL 33136 Proposed Budget FY 2020-21 Description Proposed Budget Rent $5,000 Telephone/Communications $3,500 Project Staff Trainer $45,000 Program Developer/Training Manager $30,000 Overtown Community Liaison $30,500 Program Manager $45,000 Office Manager (Part-time) $15,000 Marketing/Development/Outreach $1,500 Insurance $4,500 Mobile Unit $10,000 TOTAL $190,000 1600 NW 3rd Avenue, Suite 111 • Miami, FL 33136 • 305.444.1944 • www.suitedforsuccess.org