10 years after graduation, Alicia "shopped" for her own style and had pick of job offers
Born and raised in Edmond, Alicia Rambo moved to Dallas after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. She got married and started a family, but her 10-year relationship with her husband was a roller coaster filled with custody battles, family illnesses and deaths, drastic financial ups and downs. However, the reward was a new baby girl.
Toward the end of the marriage, her husband became threatening and started displaying dangerous behaviors. Afraid of what he would do, she checked her daughter out of school and moved back to Oklahoma to be with family.
With no car, no savings, and no job, she brought just the clothes and toys that would fit in the trunk of her brother’s car. She had been out of the workforce for 10 years, in a state in which she had no professional experience, and a daughter that was depending on her. Although a very proud and independent woman, she had to ask for help.
She was pointed to the OSU/OKC Reach for Work Program, and was introduced to Suited for Success where she was treated with respect and dignity. She was able to “shop” for a style that worked for her along with makeup – something she had gone without while putting her daughter’s needs first. Alicia interviewed for several jobs, looking professional while doing so, and received multiple offers allowing her to choose the job she wanted.
Alicia has now been with OU Physicians for 6 years in their marketing department. Her daughter, now 14, is thriving and developing a talent for digital art. Alicia likes to give back to her community any chance she gets - to such organizations as LifeChurch, Habitat for Humanity, the Regional Food Bank, and many others. She has also helped volunteer with community restoration after tornadoes. She was excited when she learned of OU Physicians’ first ever suit drive for Suited for Success. “It is always a thrill to be able to give back to an organization that has helped you personally,” Alicia said.
Although there are still struggles she faces as a single mother, she now has the tools to help her fight the battles and provide for her family.
Toward the end of the marriage, her husband became threatening and started displaying dangerous behaviors. Afraid of what he would do, she checked her daughter out of school and moved back to Oklahoma to be with family.
With no car, no savings, and no job, she brought just the clothes and toys that would fit in the trunk of her brother’s car. She had been out of the workforce for 10 years, in a state in which she had no professional experience, and a daughter that was depending on her. Although a very proud and independent woman, she had to ask for help.
She was pointed to the OSU/OKC Reach for Work Program, and was introduced to Suited for Success where she was treated with respect and dignity. She was able to “shop” for a style that worked for her along with makeup – something she had gone without while putting her daughter’s needs first. Alicia interviewed for several jobs, looking professional while doing so, and received multiple offers allowing her to choose the job she wanted.
Alicia has now been with OU Physicians for 6 years in their marketing department. Her daughter, now 14, is thriving and developing a talent for digital art. Alicia likes to give back to her community any chance she gets - to such organizations as LifeChurch, Habitat for Humanity, the Regional Food Bank, and many others. She has also helped volunteer with community restoration after tornadoes. She was excited when she learned of OU Physicians’ first ever suit drive for Suited for Success. “It is always a thrill to be able to give back to an organization that has helped you personally,” Alicia said.
Although there are still struggles she faces as a single mother, she now has the tools to help her fight the battles and provide for her family.
Suited helped Lisa change her "jeans and a T-shirt" wardrobe to administrative professional!
After spending most of her adult life as a homemaker and mother of four, Lisa Poston had trouble finding a job after moving to Oklahoma City. She came here in 2011 with her two youngest children in order to assist her mother who was ill. Needing to support her family, she made the decision to go back to school with the assistance of the BEST (Basic Education Skills Training) program at the Department of Human Services.
Lisa enrolled in an administrative assistant class at Metro Tech, where she became the class president of her Business Professionals of America chapter, and earned the “Program Student of the Year” Award. She also earned sixth place in the Administrative Support Team event at the BPA state leadership conference in 2013. Before graduating from Metro Tech, Lisa began working with FOCIS Counseling Services, Inc. where she worked as a management administrator.
Suited for Success helped Lisa grow her professional wardrobe and helped change her strictly “jeans and a T-shirt” ways.
“Suited for Success not only helped me with clothing, but they also gave me the confidence to get back into the workforce,” Lisa said.
She recently returned to school at Metro Tech for their Culinary Arts program. Cooking has been a life-long passion for her and Lisa plans to work in a bakery after completing the program at Metro Tech. She continues to give back to her community by serving as an active member on the Administrative Assistant’s Advisory Committee at Metro Tech.
Suited was proud to present Lisa with a Client Achievement Award at last year’s Purple Event! Lisa is proof that everyone can achieve success and pursue their passion!
Lisa enrolled in an administrative assistant class at Metro Tech, where she became the class president of her Business Professionals of America chapter, and earned the “Program Student of the Year” Award. She also earned sixth place in the Administrative Support Team event at the BPA state leadership conference in 2013. Before graduating from Metro Tech, Lisa began working with FOCIS Counseling Services, Inc. where she worked as a management administrator.
Suited for Success helped Lisa grow her professional wardrobe and helped change her strictly “jeans and a T-shirt” ways.
“Suited for Success not only helped me with clothing, but they also gave me the confidence to get back into the workforce,” Lisa said.
She recently returned to school at Metro Tech for their Culinary Arts program. Cooking has been a life-long passion for her and Lisa plans to work in a bakery after completing the program at Metro Tech. She continues to give back to her community by serving as an active member on the Administrative Assistant’s Advisory Committee at Metro Tech.
Suited was proud to present Lisa with a Client Achievement Award at last year’s Purple Event! Lisa is proof that everyone can achieve success and pursue their passion!
Suited for Success helped Teresa with her first suit - she turned that into a career of suits.
In the past 20 years, we’ve had many success stories of clients achieving new career goals after being “suited” and attending career training by Suited for Success.
We are particularly proud of Teresa Green, who came to Oklahoma in 2004 after leaving an abusive relationship. She not only had to learn how to care for herself and her son, but she also had to navigate the complicated process of a divorce. Teresa initially joined the Empower program through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a Suited partner agency, and was provided with the training needed to complete an internship at a local law firm. As Teresa started her journey, Suited For Success was there to provide her with the professional attire she needed to feel confident as she joined an office environment.
After completing the Empower program, Teresa was just getting started with her education! She went on to graduate from Rose State College with a degree in paralegal studies and she earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Oklahoma. She continued her studies at Oklahoma City University Law School, where she graduated with her Juris Doctor degree. While in law school, Teresa completed an externship with Judge Robert E. Bacharach, a federal judge with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, as well as serving as a resource editor for the Oklahoma City University Law Review. Teresa recently passed the Oklahoma Bar exam and is looking forward to starting private practice as an attorney in Oklahoma City.
While pursing her law degree and raising her son, Teresa has given back to her community by holding various leadership positions including class president at the Oklahoma City University School of Law, mentoring women through the Empower program, and serving on the Board of the Sustainable Eastern Oklahoma County and Mid-Del Farmers Market.
She praises Suited For Success for helping her begin her journey. Teresa said, “I would not be who I am today without the encouragement and support provided by this wonderful organization. One suit is turning into a lifetime of suits as a lawyer. Thank you Suited For Success!”
Teresa is a wonderful example to all women of what can be accomplished by setting goals and pursuing them with confidence and dedication.
We are particularly proud of Teresa Green, who came to Oklahoma in 2004 after leaving an abusive relationship. She not only had to learn how to care for herself and her son, but she also had to navigate the complicated process of a divorce. Teresa initially joined the Empower program through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a Suited partner agency, and was provided with the training needed to complete an internship at a local law firm. As Teresa started her journey, Suited For Success was there to provide her with the professional attire she needed to feel confident as she joined an office environment.
After completing the Empower program, Teresa was just getting started with her education! She went on to graduate from Rose State College with a degree in paralegal studies and she earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Oklahoma. She continued her studies at Oklahoma City University Law School, where she graduated with her Juris Doctor degree. While in law school, Teresa completed an externship with Judge Robert E. Bacharach, a federal judge with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, as well as serving as a resource editor for the Oklahoma City University Law Review. Teresa recently passed the Oklahoma Bar exam and is looking forward to starting private practice as an attorney in Oklahoma City.
While pursing her law degree and raising her son, Teresa has given back to her community by holding various leadership positions including class president at the Oklahoma City University School of Law, mentoring women through the Empower program, and serving on the Board of the Sustainable Eastern Oklahoma County and Mid-Del Farmers Market.
She praises Suited For Success for helping her begin her journey. Teresa said, “I would not be who I am today without the encouragement and support provided by this wonderful organization. One suit is turning into a lifetime of suits as a lawyer. Thank you Suited For Success!”
Teresa is a wonderful example to all women of what can be accomplished by setting goals and pursuing them with confidence and dedication.
Building on 20 Years of Success!
Suited for Success is celebrating our 20-year Anniversary this August! We have come such a long way in those 20 years, from our meager beginnings to a thriving organization that helps women achieve self-sufficiency by providing professional clothing and career development services.
OUR HISTORY
Since August 1st, 1997, when we suited our first client, we have added more than 65 referral partners and served almost 9,500 women! From our beginnings in the remodeled basement of the old Catholic Charities building (who donated the space to us after seeing our story in the Oklahoman), we have risen to our current location at street level on Highline Boulevard.
We are planning a celebration, but before we even blow out the candles, we are already planning the next 20 years.
GOALS & CHALLENGES
Our immediate goals include adding quarterly training classes to reinforce the information clients receive from our referral partners. We also plan to expand our resume program so that every client can produce a standout resume that blasts them to the top of the candidate list. Throughout all of these efforts, we aim to help them secure the job that will further their independence.
What is most challenging right now is the need for more space. We want to serve more women, provide additional services on site, and have space for a resale area that will help to financially sustain our ongoing needs. Our long-term goal is to add a mobile boutique, to better serve our rural referral partners such as Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center in Choctaw and Langston University in Guthrie. This will help us grow the same program that we have for women into services for the increasing number of single fathers and veterans returning to civilian employment.
WE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU
These past accomplishments, and future dreams, would not be possible without the unwavering support of our volunteers, referral partners, and donors. You believe in us and you believe in our mission – THANK YOU!
Our volunteers, whose mantra is “all things with kindness,” make it possible for clients to feel more confident in their ability to succeed in the interview process and build their careers. The organizations and training centers entrusting us with their students—our clients—demonstrate their belief in our methods and the value of our services. Our generous donors provide us with clothing, space, and money – all of which is needed to make the magic happen!
BIRTHDAY WISHES
As founder and executive director, I am profoundly grateful for our volunteers, donors, and referral partners for making our mission, Helping Women Achieve Self-Sufficiency, a reality. Our future growth and success depends on the benevolence and philanthropy of our donors and volunteers. This will be our wish when we blow out those birthday candles: to have a building big enough to hold all of our plans and dreams, and a truck to transport services and hope to the women who need them. Thank you for being a part of celebrating our past, and embracing our future!
OUR HISTORY
Since August 1st, 1997, when we suited our first client, we have added more than 65 referral partners and served almost 9,500 women! From our beginnings in the remodeled basement of the old Catholic Charities building (who donated the space to us after seeing our story in the Oklahoman), we have risen to our current location at street level on Highline Boulevard.
We are planning a celebration, but before we even blow out the candles, we are already planning the next 20 years.
GOALS & CHALLENGES
Our immediate goals include adding quarterly training classes to reinforce the information clients receive from our referral partners. We also plan to expand our resume program so that every client can produce a standout resume that blasts them to the top of the candidate list. Throughout all of these efforts, we aim to help them secure the job that will further their independence.
What is most challenging right now is the need for more space. We want to serve more women, provide additional services on site, and have space for a resale area that will help to financially sustain our ongoing needs. Our long-term goal is to add a mobile boutique, to better serve our rural referral partners such as Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center in Choctaw and Langston University in Guthrie. This will help us grow the same program that we have for women into services for the increasing number of single fathers and veterans returning to civilian employment.
WE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU
These past accomplishments, and future dreams, would not be possible without the unwavering support of our volunteers, referral partners, and donors. You believe in us and you believe in our mission – THANK YOU!
Our volunteers, whose mantra is “all things with kindness,” make it possible for clients to feel more confident in their ability to succeed in the interview process and build their careers. The organizations and training centers entrusting us with their students—our clients—demonstrate their belief in our methods and the value of our services. Our generous donors provide us with clothing, space, and money – all of which is needed to make the magic happen!
BIRTHDAY WISHES
As founder and executive director, I am profoundly grateful for our volunteers, donors, and referral partners for making our mission, Helping Women Achieve Self-Sufficiency, a reality. Our future growth and success depends on the benevolence and philanthropy of our donors and volunteers. This will be our wish when we blow out those birthday candles: to have a building big enough to hold all of our plans and dreams, and a truck to transport services and hope to the women who need them. Thank you for being a part of celebrating our past, and embracing our future!
