SB AUW Free Macy’s Shopping Spree for Job Hunt, Girls Sign up Now!

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Dianne Anderson // —

If local young ladies age 16-24 can make it down to San Bernardino Arrowhead United Way for an upcoming jam-packed workshop, they need not ask what to wear to their next job interview.

Not just any old free clothes, but they’ll get a Macy’s full on shopping spree of new power up office fashion along with job skills training and access to mentors.

What more can a girl ask for?

On May 27, young ladies that act fast on applications can attend the annual Women United Interview for Success program, a one-day event hosted by Arrowhead United Way in partnership with Macy’s store.

Gretchen Strutzenberg said the event promises practical, personal and professional workforce development techniques to enter the workforce.

The younger girls will also learn soft skills and time management, as well as resume writing. Some of the older youth that may already be out in the workforce can get a refresher course to make the most of their job hunting experience.

The day will give them direction.

“They are able to see hope within themselves and what they’re able to do, as well as a chance to meet other professional women in the community through the workshops,” said Strutzenberg, AUW Women United program Manager.

Successful women across a variety of workplace fields will speak at the event, and the girls will sign up with their partner nonprofit, Dress for Success, program.

“Once they’ve suited them, they can wear it to the interview,” she said. “If they get the job, they call the ladies from Dress for Success, and they will dress them for the week.”

Along with those perks, financial professionals on site will talk about money matters, and how the girls can manage their newfound finances when they land that good job. The one-day Arrowhead United Way event offers a light continental breakfast and light lunch, and a $150 Macy’s gift card for shopping after they finish the workshop.

Interested participants are encouraged to send an email, or they can go online and apply. She will confirm their registration for the event, which starts 9:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Her Macy’s contact also picked the best day to shop the big clearance sale to maximize the purchasing power. She said $150 will buy about $225 in clothes.

As the day-long program ends, it is often just beginning for many of the young women, who continue to come around and intern at their office. Many come back to volunteer just because they just want to be around the positive atmosphere.

They are making strides in their lives, and reaching back to help others.

“One young lady [continued coming] for over a year after participating in the workshops and interned every day, always punctual and got things done. She’s graduating high school this year,” she said.

Their annual one-day free shopping spree event typically pulls from 20 to 50 young ladies, who leave not only looking great, but also with a handful of very important connections. She said AUW offers a number of programs to reach into the hard places of the city that have been long stuck in a bad situation.

She said the girls need to see that there’s more to life.

“It gives them the confidence builder, the personal stories, and backgrounds, they hear from the women conducting portions of the workshop, they see a little bit of themselves.”

To get an application, call (909) 884-9441 or see www.arrowheadunitedway.org/

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