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It's a matter of image Photo by Bob Pennell By JONEL ALECCIA Mary Loveland couldn't quite believe the image in the mirror. Dark suit, white blouse, tasteful pumps - even a stylish scarf? Who was that well-dressed woman? "I've never looked professional like this before," gasped Loveland, 39, who has spent most of her adult life in jeans and T-shirts, chasing seven children ages 2 to 17. But on Monday, the Medford woman was among the first of 64 local welfare clients to get a fashion boost from a charitable program aimed at helping women get ready for work. Thanks to The Community Closet program sponsored by Mervyn's department stores, Loveland and others received a free week's worth of wardrobe staples, accessories valued at $350 - and professional advice about how to use them. "Everybody likes a makeover, and many of these women have never had new clothes, let alone a makeover," said Anne-Marie Reid, spokeswoman for the California-based retailer. Now in its fourth year, the program has served more than 4,500 women across the United States. Some 800 women in five western states will benefit this fall, including pre-screened Rogue Valley welfare clients ready to go to work. Loveland, for instance, has received government benefits off and on since her first child was born in 1984. For the past few years, she has been determined to move off assistance with the help of education and training provided by The Job Council of Medford. A work-experience position as a child-care provider at Superior Athletic Club in Medford recently turned into regular employment, Loveland said. "I came from a bump on a log to where I am now," said Loveland, who makes minimum wage. "I want to get off this welfare and stay off." Loveland has struggled to get and maintain the post, said Rob Hegeman, an employment counselor with The Job Council. So when Meryvn's asked agencies to identify women who could most benefit from new clothes, he nominated Loveland. "Mary has worked very hard," he said. So there was Loveland, along with seven other women, ready to march Monday into a 72-foot tractor-trailer transformed into a department store on wheels, complete with clothes racks, dressing rooms and makeup mirrors. Mervyn's representatives Jan O'Laughlin and Nancy Bernal quickly ran them through the drill: Each woman would pick out a three-piece suit, a white blouse, a sweater twin set, accessories, shoes, even hosiery. They'd try the clothes on and experiment with different looks. Managers from the local Mervyn's store were on hand to help with advice. "Let's fix your collar," manager Shari Barnes told Loveland, adjusting the neckline of a crisp white blouse. "You'll want to wear it out." All of the women walked away with the same pieces, but Reid said the clothes are basic enough to adapt to personal styles. "It's amazing," she said. "Even though the clothes are a rather limited selection, they all come out looking like their own individual, unique person. Maybe one will put a pink sweater over shoulders. Maybe they'll add a nice pair of jeans." Locally, the Community Closet program was co-sponsored by the Southern Oregon Goodwill, the Southern Oregon Regional Employment Compact, The Job Council and the welfare agencies. Organizers said the program is a way to enhance women's self-esteem while preparing them for the daily realities of the workplace, which include professional dress. Mervyn's began the program in 1998 after recognizing that lack of appropriate apparel was a significant barrier to employment. "When you bring all these women together for this, the positive energy is incredible," said Laughlin, who has visited 100 cities in 14 states so far. For Loveland, the new outfits are almost too nice to wear to work, where her duties include arts and crafts projects with toddlers. But she said the tailored clothes, including the first suit she's ever owned, would serve as both a reward for and a reminder of her effort. "I wanted to go to work," she said. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.