NCJW Essex County Section

Career Closet

Career Closet of NCJW/Essex is currently accepting donations of women's work attire suitable for Spring/Summer.

What do you wear to a job interview?

For thousands of women in New Jersey, the answer is 'nothing' because they don't have and can't afford to buy a work-appropriate outfit. Unable to interview for office positions, these women continue to struggle in low-paying jobs with no career path and little chance for advancement. Often they remain unemployed because they do not have the resources to dress for an interview.

The right clothes can change the course or a woman's life.

At Career Closet of NCJW/Essex, we supply – free of charge – donated, gently used work-appropriate clothing and accessories to women in need. Every year, more than 300 clients leave Career Closet with a wardrobe that enables them to wear a different work-appropriate outfit every day for a week – enough to go on an interview and start a new job.

Please donate women’s attire that is:

New or like-new
Interview-appropriate
Any Size: Petite 0-5X
In style (not dated)
In season
Ready to wear (no stains, tears, or pulls)
On hangers!

We particularly need these items:

Women’s business suits
(jacket with skirt or pants)

Work appropriate skirts, slacks, blouses and shells
(especially white)

Dresses

Blazers/Jackets, work appropriate shoes, new or like-new
(brown, black, and tan are best; no shoebox)

Handbags
(brown, black or tan are best)

Pantyhose and nylon knee-highs, new in original package
(only shades of beige, brown, and black)

Jewelry
(work appropriate; no earrings)

Scarves
(no small squares)

High-demand items include:

Large sizes
Blouses and shells in any size

Sorry, but we do not accept:

Active wear
Denim
Formal wear
Coats

Career Closet of NCJW/Essex is a program of the Linda & Rudy Slucker NCJW Center for Women, a nonsectarian service-provider sponsored by National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section.

Donation Drop-Off

We accept donations year-round. Please check back for frequent updates of our donation drop-off dates and hours.

Evening donations from 4:30pm to 7:30pm are available by appointment only. Please contact Karen Feinblatt at 201-650-4111 or Feinblatt@aol.com to set up a date and time.

We are in particular need of work appropriate costume jewelry and handbags. We are now accepting Spring and Summer clothing donations on the following days:

May
23: 1pm - 3pm
29: 10am - 12pm

June
4: 10am - 12 noon
19: 1pm - 3pm
25: 10am - 12 noon

July
11: 10am - 12 noon
23: 10am - 12 noon
30: 10am - 12 noon

August
1: 10am - 12 noon
6: 10am - 12 noon
20: 1pm - 3pm

Bring up to 25 items per drop-off to:

Career Closet of NCJW/Essex,
349 East Northfield Road, Livingston, N.J.
Lower Level – turn right off elevator, go to end of hall
(We can supply a tax-deduction letter for you to complete.)