DTR Success Story
By
Morgan A. McAboy
When single-mother Angenita Mabins moved to mid-Missouri from St. Louis, she was determined to make a better life for her three children. Without the proper finances in place, Mabins developed a plan to secure a stable job.
Since she was accustomed to working jobs that didn’t require professional attire, Mabins faced a roadblock when she initially began job hunting.
“I just usually wore jeans, jean-jackets and tennis shoes. I knew that I couldn’t wear things like that to get the job I wanted. I was desiring that well-put together look, but didn’t have the income to support it.”
Mabins’ goal seemed like it would be placed on hold until she came across an advertisement at Metro Business College for the Dreams to Reality Program.
“I was reading the bulletin board in the Financial Aid Office when I came across the ad. It was exactly what I need.”
Dreams to Reality, a locally governed 501 C-3 charitable corporation, was established by a group of area women who recognized the lack of interview and work apparel as an obstacle to gaining employment. Founded in 2006, the DTR Program seeks to help low-income Missouri women meet their employment goals and build self-confidence by providing appropriate interview and business apparel.
DTR services are provided at no cost to participants thanks to donations of funds, apparel, accessories, office and fund-raising items and volunteer time from community members and local businesses.
Gamma Epsilon Omega, the local graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, is one of many organizations dedicated to helping the program achieve its annual goals. Chapter President Lori Simms is excited about AKA’s ongoing partnership with the DTR Program.
“We are celebrating Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Centennial during 2008. From the beginning, our sorority has focused on addressing the needs of girls and women. This partnership gives us just one more way to help improve women’s lives.”
Although DTR presented the opportunity she was looking for, Mabins says she hesitated before deciding to contact the program.
“I didn’t want to be judged and that caused me not to contact the program right away. Eventually, I realized my overall goal of wanting to give my children the opportunity to experience a good mother. That alone was reason enough to place the call.”
After receiving a referral from Metro Business College, Mabins contacted DTR to schedule an appointment. Her anxieties with the program dissolved after her first encounter with an assigned-DTR Image Consultant.
“I was afforded the true boutique experience. Everyone was so hospitable. They made sure they kept outfits coming my way. I was in there for about 2 ½ to 3 hours and no one rushed me.”
Mabins not only left the DTR Store with enough professional attire to make a successful attempt at landing the job she desired, she also left with a new-found sense of self.
“I left with clothing that I couldn’t afford. That really did something for my self-esteem.”
Mabins took her new threads and began taking the necessary steps to make her aspirations come true with a relentless job search. After a few interviews, Mabins landed a job with the State of Missouri Collection/Taxation Agency, where she currently serves as a Tax Collector Technician. Her new job now requires her to collect on delinquent individual, car, and business taxes.
Mabins says she enjoys her job and has received numerous compliments on the clothing she received from the DTR Program.
“People tell me that my clothes look really nice. It’s surprising because I just usually take the items that I got from the program and interchange them.”
The attention Mabins received for her new dressing style, also exposed her to other individuals who expressed difficulties in affording appropriate work attire.
“My co-workers thought I had spent a lot of money on my clothes. They kept telling me that they knew a lot of people who were having problems getting decent jobs because of lack of clothing. I told them about the Dreams to Reality Program and was shocked to see that most of them did not know anything about it.”
While serving as a client and advocate for the DTR program, Mabins was able to accomplish the goal she set out to achieve when moving from St. Louis eight months ago. Assistance received through the DTR Program has enabled Mabins to do far more than she originally imagined. Along with her employment endeavors, Mabins has increased her community involvement, become an active participant in church-related activities, and is currently considering attending college to earn a business degree.
Mabins credit’s her religious beliefs and the DTR Program for her continued success.
“The whole experience has been a true blessing. I really wanted to give my children something to be proud of…….Dreams to Reality has helped me do that and more.”
Success Stories
-
Dreams to Reality
ATTN: Margaret Young
510 Broadway Jefferson City,
MO 65102
Dear Ms. Young:
The service that Dreams to Reality provides to women re-entering the job market is invaluable. I know, unfortunately, from my own personal experiences that bad things can happen to good people. It isn't always easy to pick yourself up by your bootstraps without a little bit of help.
I was left alone four months pregnant and then again with a six month old baby daughter to support. During the climb up from this I have lived in homeless shelters, low income housing, and had to ask for help. Sometimes asking for help is really hard to do and you may have to swallow your pride to provide for your children. Unfortunately I was not alone. Women and children are the fastest growing segment among the homeless.
Dreams to Reality and the women who work to keep it going are a real inspiration to me.
Sincerely,
Stephanie