San Diego is home to more than 27,000 female veterans. These women face unemployment rates that are generally higher than the average population, and many struggle to find affordable childcare, plus they face the dreaded wardrobe challenge as they are suddenly forced to replace their military uniforms with entirely new civilian clothing, an expense most cannot afford.
Today's Operation Dress Code event helped women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces transition to the civilian workforce by providing them with the professional attire needed to start their new life. More than 20,000 articles of clothing as well as shoes, purses and accessories were donated by women in the San Diego community to help this cause.
More than 200 women signed up for the Operation Dress Code boutique which took place at the Town & Country Hotel in San Diego. In addition to selecting professional wardrobe items with a personal style guide, the women were treated to make up training sessions, professional photos, resume writing seminars, career advise and a special session sponsored by Cal Vet on applying for jobs with the State of California.
Operation Dress Code was produced by Courage to Call and Cal Vet, who organized dozens of volunteers to organize the tremendous amount of donations which were separate by size and displayed on racks so that recipients were able to make selections as if they were on a department store shopping excursion. the abundance of donations will be available to other female veterans after today's event through Courage to Call's Clothing Closet.
Hear more about Operation Dress Code in the podcast below.
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