Thursday, August 26, 2010
Become a Sponsor for the Black Pants Project
Each of our partners will receive at least one clothing rack with an attached sponsor sign as well as a starter wardrobe and Gabriel Brother's gift card to help get them started...all free of charge.
Here are some pictures so you can see how your logo will be displayed. Purchase one side of the sign for $50 or both sides for $100. These racks are on wheels, so your logo will be visible to the public. In addition, we will feature you on this blog as one of our community champions! If you are interested in receiving more information, please contact Jennifer Melnick Carota at 412-559-1754. We would love to work with you!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Prayer Request
Monday, November 16, 2009
Business is Good!
Where does the time go? I can't believe it's been so long since I've updated our page! But no news is good news, right? Well actually is great news! Just to give a few updates and thank yous that we would like to share with you all:
- Our first bag sale was a huge success. We raised over $600 for the BPP and Dress for Success. We hope to make this an annual event...stay tuned!
- Thank you to the Caring Mission who chose the BPP as their signature charity for a marketing event at the Meadows in October. The Ladies Night Out basket raffle raised nearly $300 for the BPP!
- Thank you to the ladies of the Upper Saint Claire Westminster Presbyterian Church who invited me to raid their ladies boutique during their annual rummage sale. Armed with a flat-bed dolly and three personal shopping assistants, the BPP and Dress for Success made out like bandits. We can't thank you enough!
- Thank you to our new volunteers Harry, Marsha, Mary, Gina, Jennifer and Bob (from Model Cleaners) who came out today to help us clean out for the upcoming renovation of the BPP Room. Soon we will be side by side with Dress for Success, increasing our square footage to over 1,600 feet. Oh yes...we've got great plans!
- Special event plans are in the works for a fabulous fundraiser in May. Stay tuned for those details coming soon!
As always, thank you to all of the anonymous donors who have donated clothing via our partners at Model Cleaners. If you have a business suit, sweater set, or neutral pants that you would like to donate, please visit Model Cleaners in Belle Vernon, Charleroi, Upper St. Clair, and Greensburg. They will clean and deliver your donation to us free of charge. (AMAZING!!!) Special accommodations for drop-offs at other locations are possible as well. Please contact me for more details!
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season filled with love, blessings and abundant giving! If we can help you help a woman in need, we are only one phone call away!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Welcome Dress for Success!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Thank You Model Cleaners
Thank You Model Cleaners
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Please Donate to Our Cause
As you are all aware, the tough economy is affecting many families across our region. Now more than ever, women in our communities are looking to step back into the workforce to earn additional income in order to support their families and avoid financial disaster. The Black Pants Project, unlike similar career wardrobe programs, exists to serve these women who need a hand up during their job search. In order to help prevent these women from incurring additional debt and spending valuable dollars on clothing, the Black Pants Project can step in and help these women maximize their family budget by providing career related wardrobe essentials free of charge. As we are a volunteer organization, we need your help. In preparation for the influx of new clients, we are actively seeking monetary donations that will allow us to maintain our operations throughout 2009.
Won’t you consider becoming a supporter of the Black Pants Project for the upcoming year? This year alone since our opening last September, we have served over 55 women who have successfully completed their job search and are gainfully employed. We would love to quadruple that number in the upcoming year! For as little as $25, you can make a difference in the lives of many and girls throughout the Mid-Mon Valley. No donation is considered too small! Please choose your level of sponsorship and return your tax deductible donation to my attention made payable to the Schooner Youth Center at the address provided above.
_____ $100 Founding Partner
_____ $50 Wardrobe Sponsor
_____ $25 Friendship Sponsor
_____ Other Amount
Friday, October 24, 2008
When Bill Sings, God Listens
Buy your tickets now at www.theblackpantsproject.eventbrite.com
Hope to see you there!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Bring Your Gold!
I just got word today that we have been chosen as a fundraising benefiary from one very special lady who will be participating at the Women and Families Expo next weekend. Melissa McGavick, a licensed gold broker, will be buying gold from attendees who visit the booth of Pittsburgh Professional Women on Saturday and Sunday. Melissa will be donating a portion of her profits to both PPW and the Black Pants Project! So come on out the expo and bring your gold with you! Melissa's buying prices are much higher than most because she is an independent broker and does not have the overhead costs that most jewelry stores have, meaning she can give you more money for your gold!
Don't forget...the Gift Therapist is speaking at 12:30 on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday. Come on out and play "The Price isn't Right, " register to win one of twenty gift bags that will be given out hourly at my booth (114), and get some early holiday shopping done! Hope to see you there!
The Friendship Stone
The friendship stone represents the bond of friendship. The ability of the Tigers Eye to change appearances with the rays of light is an important message for how one chooses to view life and friendship. The stone is as beautiful and irreplaceable as the people that comprise one’s life. It’s small enough to be carried triggering the importance of each individual in our life. Giving The Friendship Stone provides an everlasting keepsake; a reminder of the enduring connection between those two individuals.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
New addition to the Black Pants Project!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Kate and Lexie
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Drop Off Locations Confirmed! Hooray for Model Cleaners!
I just received "official" confirmation from my friend Dan at Model Cleaners that effective July 21st, 2008 the following Model Cleaners stores will be ready to accept, clean, and deliver donations to the Schooner Youth Center for the Black Pants Project:
- Charleroi
- Rostraver
- Upper St. Clair and
- Greensburg
Now there's some incentive to go and clean out your closet! Look for our posters in the window...you can't miss them! Model Cleaners has made donating your gently worn career-wear easy and convenient...so get to work :) Why not drop off some of your own dry cleaning as well? This is a wonderful company and they deserve our support as well! Go on...kill two birds with one stone and feel great about it! Pay the kindness forward wherever you can! Need directions? Click their logo for store locations and directions! Happy closet cleaning!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The Net is Still Expanding
- Two national sponsors have come forward to provide goodie-bag items for our fundraiser in November, not to mention all of the products that I've received to review on my Gift Therapist Blog. BIG companies and PR firms are sending a lot of great samples because they know that ultimately they will be given to a great cause in gift-baskets at the fundraiser as well. I think I'm going to have to rent a storage unit for all of this stuff :)
- Camera Bartolotta, a former LA actress who now calls the Mon Valley her home is excited to become involved in the Black Pants Project. She is a certified image coach and has worked with working wardrobe organizations all over the country. She admitted that she has been looking for a local program like this to get involved with but couldn't find one...until God brought us together last week.
- And now for the biggie...Princeton University's Department of Social Sciences has contacted me in order to include the Schooner Youth Center and the Black Pants Project in a comprehensive study that analyzes how social service programs are delivered in pockets of high poverty. Best part...they are coming here to tour our facility on July 21st. I told you we were going to put the Mid-Mon Valley on the map.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
A Sister's Love
Yesterday I had the honor of working with two fabulous women who traveled over 35 miles to participate in the Black Pants Project. A young lady saw our commercial on Comcast Newsmakers and referred her sister who had recently fallen on tough times and was looking to start a new life. During our two hours together we laughed, cried, and left as lifelong friends. That's what makes this program so special. Although you would think that the career-wear is central to the program, I'm beginning to realize that it is just an added perk to the program. The real magic happens when you sit and talk with the clients one on one. Hear their stories...listen to their dreams...and become part of their very intimate lives. What a gift! This program is certainly not typical of most social service programs. It fills the gaps that most nonprofits are unable to provide. It's truly more of a mentoring ministry of sorts. We invite women to come together and build up the courage to take that giant leap into a new life. No income guidelines...no red-tape. The only requirement is that they "Pay it Forward". And they will. I have absolutely no doubt about it. Yesterday showed me the power of a sister's love and what really matters. Love is central to this program. And you can't buy that in a department store...
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Putting the Mid-Mon Valley on the Map!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
All the way from West Africa!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Model Cleaners on Board!
God Bless!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Thank You Comcast!
Just spent a wonderful afternoon at the Comcast Studios in Greentree with Tonia Cauruso and Natalie Ricchuito filming an interview for the Black Pants Project. I even received a large donation from a friend and Comcast employee, Bud Leaper, too! Wow, this program is really creating a buzz for itself! Here are the details if you are able to watch:
Look for the Black Pants Project on Comcast Newsmakers during the June 2008. Comcast provides a free forum for non-profit leaders to present events and issues important to the Pittsburgh Region. Comcast Newsmakers can be seen at 25 and 55 minutes past the hour on CNN Headline News, on Comcast Cable. More than 650,00 households in the Pittsburgh region can the interview during the month of June and will air approximately 60 times.
I will post the interview as soon as I can get my video tape converted to digital! Thank you to everyone for your generous support!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Progress Report
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Our FIRST Client!
Monday, April 28, 2008
April 28th: We Made Front Page News
Good news about great programs really does spread fast! The Valley Independent featured "The Black Pants Project" front and center in today's issue. For the complete article, please click here.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Black Pants Project Officially Launches on Earth Day 2008
- Save money! No longer do women feel they have to buy fully coordinated outfits in a host of different colors. This reduces the urge to pull out that credit card and live beyond your means.
- Save time! Cut your morning routine time in half. Pledge to wear only black pants and you already have half your wardrobe planned for you in the morning!
- Save stress! Don't feel confident in your wardrobe choices? Black is a classic color that is seasonless and easy to match and accessorize. It's a safe starting point for any working wardrobe!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
How it all began...
Seven days ago I had no idea that I would be in charge of starting a new outreach program at the Schooner Youth Center! One two-minute phone call literally changed my life and hopefully many lives throughout the Mid-Mon Valley. Thanks to the generous donations from Rondell Curcio, our new working women's clothing ministry will be ready to serve hundreds of women and young girls who can not afford buy clothing for their next interview, new job or social event. This program can help give them a hand up and reduce barriers to employment while increasing self esteem and community connectedness.
You are looking at over 100 ladies dresses, suits, and career casuals that have been donated from Rondell's local consignment shop that decided to close it's doors today. When God closes a door, he certainly does open a window...and a big one at that! When the consigners found out that the clothing would go to a great cause, they offered them to us rather than pick them up and sell them elsewhere! One such customer, Mrs. Melanie Patterson, former Mrs. United States and the inventor of Pibbs (disposable bibs) told us to keep it all! AMEN! Life comes at ya fast, and this is how quickly one can be blessed when your heart is the right place!Keep your eyes and ears open for the grand opening! It's going to be a big one!
If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to support this program, please send your donation to: The Schooner Youth Center, Attn: Jennifer Melnick Carota, Executive Director, 701 Schoonmaker Avenue, Monessen, PA 15062.
PS...We also have a church van filled to the brim as well! This is just the tip of the iceberg!