First Impressions opens in Roodhouse Health Department location
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By Carmen Ensinger
At one time or another, everyone has made the statement “I haven’t a thing to wear”. But, sadly, for those who have been unemployed for a long time, this might be more true than anyone ever imagined.
After all, there is no need to wear anything but a t-shirt and jeans or shorts when at home, but when going to an interview to apply for a job or going to an actual job, one might need nice clothing.
That clothing can cost money – money that person might not have. This is why the Greene County Health Department has opened a small boutique in their Roodhouse location. This boutique is called “First Impressions” because often the first impression an employer has of a person can result in getting the job or getting rejected.
“The idea behind ‘First Impressions’ is to provide clothing and shoes that are free for someone who is going for an interview or in search of a job,” Greene County Health Department Public Administrator Molly Peters said. “Not just clothing for someone seeking an interview, but also for someone after they get the job as well. For example, someone in the nursing profession might need scrubs. Someone in an office setting might need more professional clothing.”
The idea for the boutique came from the boutique in Carrollton called “All About You.”
“‘All About You’ has been an inspiration for this boutique because we know our community likes that store,” Peters said. “But we also know that not everyone can go in and purchase a new outfit when the need arises so we are collecting donations from anyone that has clothing that they would like to donate that is interview type or business-like or just, in general, fancier than your ordinary, everyday clothing.”
The boutique is located in the Health Department’s Roodhouse Location, which is on the square in what used to be Dr. Voight’s old office.
“The office is open on Wednesday’s from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and anyone can go in during those hours and get anything they might need,” Peters said. “Or, if they need something any other time, they can contact our office and schedule an appointment and we can have someone meet them up there.”
Though it may be a boutique, they hope to be able to serve the working men in the community as well.
“We hope to get some donations of steel-toed boots for men who may be looking for jobs in the construction industry,” Peters said. “Also, maybe some good, heavy work jeans – anything that they might need to work in this kind of job.”
The one thing they are not accepting is infant clothing.
“This is targeted for interview/business casual clothing or clothing someone would wear to a job site,” Peters said. “Our goal with this boutique is to reduce barriers for people trying to find their first job or trying to find a better paying job.”
