DON'T LET ROAD BLOCKS UNDERMINE YOUR
SUCCESS
HOLD YOUR HEAD UP is an organization that was founded in 2008 by
Rachel Grady. Rachel is a visionary and entrepreneur, who at one point in her
life felt helpless due to a long illness and recovery from a brain tumor.This
mother of two young adults has faced many obstacles in life but never gave up.
A great fulfillment came through volunteering and helping people in the
community. God brought her through this very difficult time in her life. These trials
and tribulations brought forth an extraordinary idea. This idea was the birth of
"Hold Your Head Up".
How We Work
Hold Your Head Up provides each woman with one suit, shoes, and accessories when she has a job interview.
When she successfully lands the job, she returns for additional
business appropriate separates that will help her build a professional wardrobe.
She also receives an invitation to join the Professional Women's group,
"A Women's Voice", our support groups and employment retention program.
Hold Your Head Up serves job-ready women by referral only. Clients come
from a range of non-profit organizations including domestic violence agencies,
homeless shelters and job-training programs.
What We Achieve
Our programs help women transition towards self-sufficiency by addressing their
social and economic needs in relation to work, home, and the community. Each
woman is a success story. She has gone from unemployment to economic
independence.
Why It Works The mission of Hold Your Head Up is to provide comprehensive
support for low-income women entering the workforce. Hold Your Head Up
strives to build the confidence and skills necessary to maintain a career by
offering vocational and emotional support to clients.
Our Clients
All ethnicity and races are represented. Seventy percent are single mothers.
All live below the poverty line before receiving our services.
How You Can Get Involved
- Donate new or nearly new, interview-appropriate women's accessories and
suits
- Make a contribution to Hold Your Head Up
- Organize an accessory or suit drive in your office or community
- Become a corporate sponsor to raise funds and generate awareness
- Become an image coach and help women choose appropriate apparel for
their interviews and employment
Your Donation
We invite you to partner with us to promote the economic independence of
low-income women in Durham, Raleigh, Wake County and Orange Counties in
NC. Your tax-deductible donation will support career development opportunities
and employment retention programs at Hold Your Head Up. The need is now.
Please help us today. When our clients succeed the community wins.
__$100 Mentor
__$250 Executive Sponsor
__$500 Professional Leader
__$1,000 Community Leader
__$2,500 Philanthropist
__$_______________Other
Address:_____________
Phone:_______________
Email________________
Mail your tax-deductible donations to:
Hold Your Head Up
P.O. Box 11005
Durham, NC 27703
Helping Disadvantaged Women Move into Employment
Hold Your Head Head Up aims to achieve the following outcomes for women
transitioning into the workforce.
- enhance opportunities for sustainable employment
- increase access to self-development and soft skills
- advance financial independence
- improve family and community relationships
Self-Confidence, Self-Esteem, Self-Sufficiency, "Stepping Stones to Success"
Most of our clothing and accessories are donated. We could not provide
services to our clients without the support of the community! Thank you
in advance for your donation. You make a difference in the lives of the
women we serve!
"We Serve All Clients Through Referrals From
Partners in Durham, Raleigh, Wake County and Orange Counties "
Donations: Business and organizations interested in assisting
with fundraiser efforts or making tax-deductible donations can
contact Rachel Grady at (919) 402-6984 or holdyourheadup@ymail.com
All donated clothing items and accessories are given directly to the women we serve. Hold Your Head Up does not sell anything. Items that we cannot use are given to local shelters.
501 (C) (3)Effective Date Of Exemption: June 4, 2008
Public Charity Status
What We Accept:
Pant/Skirt Suits
Jackets/Blazers
Slacks
Blouses (especially in white, cream, beige and black)
Pumps or flats in navy, brown, or black
Jewelry
Briefcases/Portfolios
Unused Cosmetics
***We are in particular need of plus-sized clothing (sizes 16
and above) and shoes (sizes 9 and above). Hosiery in all sizes
(nude, off black, and coffee) would also be appreciated.
Drop Off Donations on Thursdays 1-3 PM
@ 401 W. Cabarrus Street Raleigh, NC
Call for pick-up service 919.402.6984
Sorry, We Do Not Accept:
Used cosmetics
Used pantyhose
Undergarments
Non-interview appropriate clothing
Hours
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Mon - Fri
Rachel Grady
Founder/ Chief Executive Officer
holdyourheadup@ymail.com
To Volunteer Please Register With One Of The Following Agencies:
The Volunteer Center of Durham, Volunteer Match and NC 211
United Way Triangle NC
ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS MUST GO THROUGH THE
REGISTRATION PROCESS.
WORKSHOPS TO HELP YOU GET A JOB AND KEEP A JOB!
Appointments By Referral
Please Call To Register at (919) 402-6984
"A Women's Voice" www.holdyourheadup.org
"A Women's Voice" Professional Women's Support Group enables
clients to evaluate skills in self-responsibility, personal relationships,
parenting skills and develop an action plan by which to measure
progress.
February 2004 Newsletter
WORKSHOP SERIES
Hold Your Head Up professional workshops are offered free-of-
charge and provide women with the skills necessary to succeed
on the path toward economic self-sufficiency the personal and
professional development workshops focus on resume writing,
identifying work-place skills, interviewing skills. These workshops
and other related services contribute to an increased sense of
confidence and dignity for clients.
"STEPPING STONES TO SUCCESS"
THE SUIT ROAD TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY
We could not do it without our ongoing support of our sponsors,volunteers,
donors, and partners.
Mary Duke Biddle Foundation Grant
REFERRAL PARTNERS: 2008/ 2009
Urban Ministries of Durham
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh
Durham Housing Authority
Durham Crisis Response Center
Durham County Work First
Orange County Work First
Durham Employment Security Commission /Job link
Durham Technical Community College
Wake Technical Community College
Durham County Criminal Justice Resource Center
Family Violence Prevention Center of Orange County
Freedom House Recovery Center
Urban Ministries of Wake County
Helen Wright Center
The Women's Center
Pregnancy Support Services
Welcome Baby
Vocational Rehabilitation
UNC Sunrise at Horizons Program
TEN YEAR PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS
YMCA-Women in Transition
Genesis Home
InStepp, Inc.
TROSA
Haven House
Dove House
Successful Single Parents Networking Community(SSP)
We work with female clients that are referred from partner
programs. Any organization interested in becoming a partner
program should contact us at holdyourheadup@ymail.com
Job Readiness Training
- Goals
- Communication Skills
- Interview Techniques
- Effective Resume
- Professional Attire
- Employment Application
- Job Search and Career Options
- Employment Barriers Resolutions
- Time and Stress Management
- Self-Esteem Confidence Building
Rachel Grady
Founder/ Chief Executive Officer
(919) 402-6984
PO BOX 11005
Durham, NC 27703
holdyourheadup@ymail.com
Willo Jackson/ Director of Operations and Finance
ACCOMPLISHMENT: In 2008 Hold Your Head Up served over
200 low-income women seeking career guidance and business
attire.
2008/2009 BUSINESS NEWS
THANK YOU NBC 17 NEWS FOR YOUR
WONDERFUL NEWS COVERAGE.
- CAROLINA BUSINESS CONNECTION
- DBUSINESS NEWS
- CAROLINA NEWSWIRE
- BUSINESS LEADER.COM
- PRAVENUE.COM
- CAROLINA WOMAN MAGAZINE
- JOB LINK LOGIC
- THE NEWS & OBSERVER
- HERALD SUN
- NBC 17
- WRAL NEWS
- Duke Chronical
