Dress for Success Boston Inc

The organization's purpose is to offer long-lasting solutions that enable women to break the cycle of poverty. The organization is part of a global movement for change, empowering women to obtain safer and better futures. We provide each client with professional attire to secure employment, but we are about much more than simply a new outfit. Besides providing the client with apparel and accessories, our programs furnish her with confidence she carries forever and the knowledge that she can actively define her life, the direction she takes and what Success means to her. Programs the suiting program the organization's clients are referred to us from over 500 human service agencies in the greater Boston area that are helping women gain control of their lives. We partner with welfare to work agencies, domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, drug rehabilitation programs, prison early release programs and literacy programs. Each woman receives one outfit for an interview; once she obtains a job, she receives up to a week's worth of business apparel. All outfits are free of charge to our clients and are theirs to keep. Our clients receive one-on-one assistance from trained, volunteer personal shoppers who help select appropriate clothing, shoes, and accessories for a professional environment. Each woman who comes to the organization receives personal attention and is treated with the utmost dignity and respect. By creating a positive environment for the client, the organization strives to stimulate self-confidence; this helps her get the job she deserves and, in turn, helps her entire family. When our clients obtain employment, they are invited to join the professional women's group. The suiting program: virtual each client is paired with a volunteer stylist via zoom. They collaborate on clothing sizes and personal preferences based on the company and position for which the client is interviewing. Together, the volunteer and client shop amazon online for an interview outfit. Clothing is paid for by the organization and shipped directly to the client or to a local lockbox if she is in transition. The professional women's group (pwg) women making the transition from unemployment to employment face myriad challenges, from understanding corporate culture to handling personal finances, often without any support systems in place to help them navigate this daunting change. Soon after the organization was founded it recognized that finding work is only one step in a woman's journey towards economic independence; remaining employed and building a rewarding career are essential if a woman is to become self-sufficient. The pwg is a networking association for organization clients who have recently entered the workforce, some for the first time. The pwg supports employed organization women by providing them with the opportunity to attend free monthly workshops geared towards job retention, covering topics such as: financial literacy, business etiquette, work/life balance and professional development. The career center our career center at the organization takes women's job readiness "beyond the suit" to help raise their chances of Success in a competitive job market. Our career center promotes confidence and professionalism by pairing our clients with volunteers who work one-on-one with them. Volunteers help create superior resumes and cover letters, provide career counseling, and conduct mock interviews. This ensures women feel confident, prepared and capable when applying for employment. Confidence days the confidence day program teaches young girls and young women, ages 14-21, skills and tools for beginning a successful professional journey. They learn the value of making a positive first impression and engage in topics such as financial literacy, personal care and styling, internship opportunities, mock interviews, job skills coaching and more. Through this program we assist young women with both professional development and a free interview appropriate outfit. Confidence day attendees leave the program empowered and ready to impress! Mobile boutique in spring 2025 the organization launched mobile services, a customized transit van that is a boutique-on-wheels, to bring their programs and services to more underserved women and girls, and in more cities and towns than they currently reach. The boutique-on-wheels offers direct suiting appointments and participates in local community resource events. The organization has served close to 100 women and girls through this program.