Carlsbad Company Stores helps needy women: SBA, IRS offer small business tax help on free CD-ROM

San Diego Business Journal, May 27, 2002 by Lee Zion

The outlet shopping center Carlsbad Company Stores is now working with a charity organization dedicated to lifting women out of homelessness and poverty.

Dress for Success helps low-income women enter the work force. Women are often referred to Dress for Success from government agencies, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, immigration services and job training programs, according to information off the nonprofit's Web site.

A typical Dress for Success client will receive one suit for a job interview, and another when she gets the job. The client then gets ongoing support as she continues her career.

Dress For Success relies on donated clothes. Previously, Dress For Success' only drop-off location was in Chula Vista, said Anita Boeker, spokeswoman for Carlsbad Company Stores.

Now, with Carlsbad Company Stores as a drop-off site, clothes can be dropped off in North County as well, she said.

Boeker said this came from an earlier event, when 1,500 clothing items were collected over a single weekend.

"The success of that event made both ourselves and Dress For Success realize the need for a North County location," she said.