On the Edge of Empowering Lives

“It feels good to help others,” Helen says. Robin adds “volunteering keeps me grounded. There are always people with needs and it feels good to help out where I can.”

Today, the two volunteer with the Damiano Center’s Clothes That Work program. The program assists job seekers and low income workers by providing work appropriate clothing, job interview advice, and hygiene and beauty products. “These people come in really down and out,” explains Robin. “We give them a start. This isn’t a hand-out but rather assisting them so they can get their life back on track.”

In 2010, the Damiano Center received a grant from the Community Opportunity Fund to assist with the
increased demand for services through the Clothes That Work program. The unrestricted fund allows the Community Foundation to be responsive to crucial issues based on its ongoing assessment of community needs—in this case assisting more than 2,000 individuals find or maintain employment.

While these numbers are impressive, Robin says seeing firsthand the impact on individuals is what inspires her continued involvement. “I build amazing friendships with these people. As they come back
and share their stories on finding a job and getting back on their feet, it feels great to know I played a small role.” This role helps people on the edge start over to achieve their dreams.